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WEST POINT 



AND THE 



U. S. MILITARY ACADEMY. 



WITH 



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t- NEW YORK: '" " 

D. VAN NOSTRA ND, 192 BROADWAY. 
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GUIDE TO WEST POINT. 



Fifty-one miles above New York, on the 
west bank of tlie Hudson river, in th.e 
midst of scenery of the most picturesque 
and impressive character, and on a bold 
shelving plateau, formed by the crossing 
of a range of the Alleghany Mountains, 
which here assume almost Alpine propor- 
tions, is a name dear to every lover of his 
country — a name replete with memories of 
the struggle for Independence, and cluster- 
ing with historic associations. 

West Point, the property of the United 
States by purchase, possesses a primary 
interest from its military importance dur- 
ing the period of the American Revolution, 
and a secondary one from its being the seat 
of the National Military Academy. The 
creative hand of natural beauty — the ro- 




G UJDE TO 




mance of war — tlie distinguished career of 
those who have gone forth from this locality 
iQ the defense of American Liberty, and 
the spectacle presented by those prepariag 
for future public usefulness, have united to 
inspire the visitor with emotions unlike 
those excited at any place of popular resort 
within the limits of the United States. 

Ninety years ago, when West Point pos- 
sessed no attraction beyond that presented 
by similar adjoining wild and uncultivated 
woodland tracts iu the Highlands, a band 
of Commissioners, appoiated by the Pro- 
vincial Congress of the Colony of New 
York, instituted an undertaking which first 
imparted a public iaterest to this favored 
spot. The war for American Independence 
was in progress, and then, as now, the Hud- 
son river afforded the principal channel of 
communication between the theatre of the 
strife and the country lying northward to 
Canada and the west. 

Nor was its importance thus limited. As 
a strategic line, separating the New England 
Colonies from the more productive region 



p WEST P OINT. 




south-west of them, the control of the Hud- 
son became, early in the war, one of the 
prmcipal objects toward which the atten- 
tion of the military authorities directing 
the contending parties was attracted. 

Between abrupt and lofty mountains above 
West Point, the gorge through which the 
river flows, yet bearing its ancient name of 
Wey Gat, or Wind Gate, is partially ob- 
structed at its lower entrance, by a long 
and narrow island, once named Martelaer's 
Eock, but now known as Constitution Is- 
land. In pursuance of their instructions, 
made with singular lack of judgment, upon 
this island the Commissioners landed, and 
under the direction of an engineer, ap- 
pointed by the Colony, a work named Fort 
Constitution was commenced in August, 
1775, and completed at a heavy expense, 
designed to defend, with a powerful arma- 
ment of artiUery, the approach up the river. 
Thus unfortunately located, and easily de- 
stroyed by an overlooking battery at West 
Point, or by a land approach on the east 
side of the river, the fort was abandoned 




GUIDE TO 




and fired on the first appearance of a Brit- 
ish force, on the 8th of October, 1777, im- 
mediately following the assault and capture 
by Sir Henry Clinton, of Forts Montgom- 
ery and Clinton, four miles below. 

Notwithstanding this early recognition of 
the necessity for obstructing and control- 
ing the Hudson, no attempt was made to 
occupy West Point until after the urgent 
recommendations of Washington, Governor 
Clinton and Lord Stirling — the latter of 
whom had thoroughly examined and re- 
ported upon the immediate necessity for 
defending this most important point. 

Operations were commenced by a brigade 
of Continental troops, under the command 
of General Parsons, on January 20, 1778, 
and before June in the same year, the work 
yet preserved, was thrown up on the north- 
east angle of the plateau, and named Fort 
Arnold. To cover the work, early in April, 
a body of Massachusetts troops, under Col- 
onel Eufus Putnam, began to erect a fort 
constructed of earth and logs, on Mount 
Independence, overlooking the plain, which 




WEST POINT. 





was named, in lionor of their commander, 
FoKT Putnam. The old fort yet in existence, 
bearing the same name, is a relic built, for 
the most part, in 1794. Forts Webb and 
Wyllis, lying to the south and named after 
regimental commanders, were commenced 
at the same time with Fort Putnam, and 
were designed to protect "West Point from 
an approach southward by land. All these 
operations were conducted under the direc- 
tion of Major-General McDougall, com- 
manding in the Highlands ; and in 1779, 
they were further strengthened and im- 
proved, while additional works were thrown 
up known as redoubts Nos. 1, 2 and 3, cov- 
ering the Eagle Valley road to the west ; 
redoubt No. 4, on Eocky HUl, in rear of 
Fort Putnam, and redoubts Nos. 5, 6 and 7, 
on Constitution Island, by Kosciuszko as 
the engineer, acting under the general di- 
rection of Washington, whose headquar- 
ters were estabhshed at West Point during 
a portion of the same year. 

The works known as the North and South 
redoubts, in rear of Garrison's Station, & 

. .^__ A^H 




GUIDE TO 




were erected to defend the land approach 
on the east side of the river. 

An interesting letter and accompanying 
map, from Kosciuszko, relating to these 
works, is here published for the first time : 

" West Point, 25th April, 1779. 

" Sir : I send you a rufif map of West Point, with 
indication as you desire from me, about the Public 
Buildings, and the Works. 

" The Carpenters Compliend about the provision, 
that he have not enof ; he beg your honor to allow 
them more bred. 



a 


House full of Ammunition. 


P 


Artellery Barracks. 


b 


The Barracks. 


q 


Greaton's Battery. 


c 


The Carpenter's House. 


r 


Chain Battery begun last 


d 


The Commissary House. 




summer. 


e 


For the Fourage. 


s 


Redoubt for fivety men begun 


f 


The Hats. 




last Summer. 


g 


The Read House. • 


t 


Redoubt for fivety men begun 


h 


Baker's House. 




last Summer. 


i 


Provision House. 


u 


Guard House. 


k 


Small Commissary House. 


w 


Guard House not covered. 


1 


Smock House. 


X 


Point of (Projected) Block 


m 


The Barracks. 




House with Bumprove for 


n 


The Steble, 




fivety men. 


o 


Of the Artellery Officer's House 


y 


Swampa. 



Your most Humble Servant 

(Signed) THAD KOSCIUSZKO 



Col. 



The Honorable 

Major General McDougall, 

Peekskill." 





WEST POINT. 




Wliile these land defenses were planned 
and situated to aid in controling the pas- 
sage of the Hudson, a formidable obstruc- 
tion was made by stretching across the 
river at its narrowest point, a boom of huge 
short logs, imited at the ends by chains so 
as to resemble a rope ladder, and a few 
yards higher up, an immense chain was 
buoyed up on logs, extending across from 
one shore to the other. This chain was 
made by Noble, Townsend & Company, at 
the Stirling Iron Works, yet in operation 
near the Sloatsburg Station, on the Erie 
E-ailroad, about twenty-five miles from 
West Point. It was carried in pieces to 
New Windsor on wagons, put together 
there, and floated down the river into its 
position, in April, 1778. A portion of the 
chain is preserved, and is to be seen lying 
in a grove on the north side of the Plain. 
The links are made of two-inch bar iron, 
and each weighs about 120 pounds. The 
entire chain weighed 186 tons. 

Thus it wiU be seen, from its natural 
advantages, its defenses, and its obstruc- 




GUIDE TO 




tions, West Point was the key to the pas- 
sage of the Hudson, and as matters stood 
in 1780, it was in fact an American Gib- 
raltar. The British, then in possession of 
the city of New York, and thus prevented 
from the employment of vessels to main- 
tain communication with the Northern 
Provinces, and unable to penetrate the 
country amid the desolate wildernesses 
which covered its face, found themselves 
restricted to surprising detached points, or 
raids, from which the patriots speedily re- 
covered, and no northern campaign, save 
that of Burgoyne, which ended in defeat 
and surrender, was attempted, chiefly from 
their inability to control the passage of the 
Hudson. 

The winter of 1779 and 1780 was one of 
unexampled severity for the patriot army 
in the North, while in the South the surren- 
der of Charleston and the disaster at Cam- 
den, had inspired universal gloom. A cloud 
of witnesses of the best authority bear tes- 
timony that at that period the majority of 
the American people manifested a willing- 




WEST POINT. 




ness to cease further resistance, and re- 
turn to their allegiance under the British 
King. 

In the midst of these forebodings there 
bui'st upon the nation the knowledge of a 
plot so comprehensive and momentous in 
all the circumstances attending it, and in 
the results designed to be accomplished, 
that even in its failure it struck terror and 
dismay to the hearts of all true lovers of 
American independence. This mighty plot 
comprehended not only the surrender of 
West Point, with all its garrison and arma- 
ment, but had also for its object the be- 
trayal of Washington and his staff into 
the hands of Sir Henry Clinton, the 
British Commander of the King's forces in 
America. 

Major General Benedict Arnold, an offi- 
cer of the patriot army, who had risen from 
the grade of Captain for gallant and peril- 
ous services in the contest, sought and 
received an assignment to command at 
West Point and its dependencies in August, 
1780. Embittered by a few real, and many 





G UIDE TO 




imaginary grievances, this officer liad long 
but secretly become disaffected towards 
the American cause. After evidence has 
established the fact, that he deliberately 
bargained with the British Commander to 
become a traitor to the land of his birth — 
to sell for a stipulated price the trust con- 
fided to him, and to betray his command 
into the hands of the enemy. To accom- 
plish this object he entered into negotia- 
tions secretly with Sir Henry Clinton, by 
which it was agreed that he should make 
such a disposition of his forces as would 
enable the British Commander effectually 
to surprise "West Point. 

John Anderson and Colonel Beverly 
Robinson were the agents on the part of 
the British, and with them Arnold opened 
" a regular channel of communication." 
The correspondence becoming protracted, 
a personal interview was demanded by 
Arnold to bring the matter to a final settle- 
ment, at which he was to furnish plans of 
West Point, and returns of its armament 
and garrison. With this object in view, 




WEST POINT. 




John Anderson left New York on horse- 
back, and proceeded up the river with the 
intention of holding the proposed inter- 
view on board the British sloop-of-war 
" Vulture," anchored o£f Teller's, now called 
Croton Point. Difficulties having been 
thrown in the way of this arrangement, 
Anderson was induced to leave the vessel 
and go ashore at midnight, in a boat sent 
by Arnold, and meet the latter on the west 
bank of the Hudson, a little below the 
village of Haverstraw. He had been di- 
rected by Sir Henry Clinton not to enter 
the American lines, and not to assume any 
disguise, but under a pressure of circum- 
stances, he did both, and thus became ex- 
posed to the character of a spy, violating 
the laws of war. The meeting between 
Anderson and Arnold, while discussing 
their infamous plans, was prolonged until 
the dawn of day, when the state of the tide 
and the risk of being discovered by the 
American pickets, so alarmed the boatmen, 
that neither the threats nor entreaties of 



fm 





GUIDE TO 




the two principals could induce them to 
return to the " Vulture." 

In the hope of making a successful re- 
turn to the vessel on the next night, both 
parties sought refuge in the house of a 
noted Tory, living in Haverstraw, named 
Joshua Hett Smith. They had scarcely 
found themselves safe within the house, 
when an event occurred which seriously 
threatened the whole object of the inter- 
view. The proximity of the " Vulture " to 
the American hues was such, that a fire 
was opened upon her by a battery on shore, 
and she was compelled to drop down the 
river, thus preventing Anderson from re- 
turning to New York by that opportunity. 
In the afternoon Arnold returned in his 
barge to his headquarters, while Anderson, 
filled with thoughts of the great advantage 
the arrangement must confer upon his King 
and country, and with the glory and pro- 
motion awaiting himself, could not avoid 
reflecting upon the great personal danger 
to which he was exposed, surrounded by 
enemies, g,nd having concealed about his 





WEST POINT. 




person the proofs of his character as a spy. 
He had been furnished by Arnold with two 
passports, one to return by water in case 
that method again became practicable, and 
the other by a land route on the east side 
of the river, authorized him "to go to the 
lines at White Plains, or lower if he thought 
proper, being on public business." Choos- 
ing the latter mode, in the evening Ander- 
son, accompanied by Smith, crossed the 
Hudson at Stony Point, and commenced 
his hazardous journey. 

The party proceeded with little or no 
interruption, and once beyond the sight 
of patroling parties, Anderson's naturally 
buoyant spirit resumed its wonted cheer- 
fulness, and he astonished his companion 
by the sudden change from taciturn de- 
spondency to unusual hilarity. Poetry, art 
and Hterature, formed alternate themes of 
discourse, and already he seemed to behold 
the reduction of the Colonies and the end 
of the war — a consummation to which his 
own sagacity and personal daring would 
so largely have contributed. Near Pine's 




GUIDE TO 




Bridge, a few miles above Tarrytown, 
Smith parted from him to return to Fish- 
kill, while Anderson pursued his way on- 
ward, until three armed militia-men, lying 
in wait for suspicious men and cattle going 
to New York, brought him to a stand. 
Under the impression that they were ad- 
herents of the British from their replies to 
his inquiries, he announced himself a Brit- 
ish officer, and exhibited his passport, but 
it was too late, the fatal admission was 
made. The men took him into the bushes 
and searched him, when six papers, mostly 
in Arnold's handwriting, were found inside 
of his stockings and beneath his feet, filled 
with details of the state of the forces, ord- 
nance, and defenses at West Point. Patri- 
otically disdaining the proffered bribe of 
a purse of gold and permanent support and 
promotion on condition of suffering him 
to proceed, the captors conveyed him to 
Colonel Jameson, who commanded the 
nearest American outpost at North Castle. 
This officer, unaccountably bewildered, re- 
solved to dispatch the captive to Arnold, to 





WEST POINT. 




i^ 



whose command lie belonged, in spite of 
the damning proof of the former's treachery. 
Major Tallmadge, the second officer in com- 
mand at the post, was absent when Anderson 
was brought in, and did not return until 
evening. When Jameson told him what 
had occurred, he was fiUed with amazement, 
and openly declared that Arnold was a 
traitor, offering to take upon himseK the 
responsibihty of acting on that conviction. 
To this Jameson would not Hsten, but he 
finally yielded to the entreaties of Tall- 
madge to recall Anderson, while he per- 
sisted in sending a note to Arnold, inform- 
ing him of the suspicious arrest of the 
prisoner. The six papers he had already 
dispatched to be delivered to Washington. 
The messenger sent to recall Anderson 
overtook the party and returned with them 
to North Castle. Conscious that his fate 
was sealed, exposure inevitable, and proofs 
of his own and Arnold's crime more than 
ample, Anderson paced up and down the 
apartment with measured step, pondering 
on the gloomy prospect which awaited him. 




GUIDE TO 




while Tallmadge sat watching him, more 
and more convinced that the indifferently 
dressed prisoner before him had been bred 
to the profession of arms. On the next 
morning the captive wrote a letter to Wash- 
ington, describing the manner in which he 
came within the American Hnes, and an- 
nounced himself to be Major John Andee, 
the Adjutant-General of the British army. 

The state of inactivity of the patriot 
forces had impelled Count Kochambeau, 
the Commander of the Allied French army, 
to request an interview with Washington 
at Hartford, Conn. Two days before the 
conference between Arnold and Andre, 
Washington wrote Arnold to meet him at 
PeekskiU with a guard of fifty men, and 
forage for forty horses. Arnold came down 
from West Point in his barge, and crossed 
over with Washington at King's Ferry, ply- 
ing between Verplank's and Stony Point. 
The " Vulture " was then anchored off in 
fuU view, and Washington observed her 
through a telescope for a long time, con- 
versing with his staff' in a low tone. Arnold 




WEST POINT. 




witnessed the scene with more than ordin- 
ary feelings of alarm, and was startled by 
a playful remark of Lafayette, who said, 
" General, as you have secret correspond- 
ence with the enemy, you must tell us what 
has become of Guichen." Thrown off his 
guard, Arnold sharply demanded what the 
Marquis alluded to, but almost immediately 
the boat arrived at the landing, and the 
retort passed -unnoticed. The night was 
passed at Peekskill, and when next morn- 
ing Washington proceeded on his way, 
Arnold returned to his headquarters at the 
Eobinson House, opposite West Point. In 
returning, after the meeting with Rocham- 
beau, Washington pursued the upper route 
to the Hudson, arriving at Fishkill, so as 
to enable him to visit West Point before re- 
turning to his camp in New Jersey. This 
change in his route caused him to miss the 
papers sent after him by Jameson, which 
had been found on the person of Andre, 
and during his brief visit the plot had 
matured, ripened, and Andre had been cap- 
tured. 





GUIDE TO 




Two days after the latter occurrence, 
Washington left Fishkill and pushed on 
down to the Robinson House, only some 
ten miles distant, intending to breakfast 
with Arnold. On arriving opposite West 
Point, instead of continuing on to Arnold's 
quarters, he rode toward the North and 
South redoubts. " General," said Lafa- 
yette, " you are going in the wrong direc- 
tion, and you know Mrs. Arnold is waiting 
breakfast for us." " Ah ! " said Washington, 
" you young men are all in love with Mrs. 
Arnold, and wish to get where she is as 
soon as possible ; go, and take your break- 
fast with her, and tell her not to wait for 
me ; I must first examine the redoubts on 
this side of the river." 

As most of the staff officers proposed 
to accompany him, only two went for- 
ward to tell the Arnolds not to wait, and 
finding breakfast ready, they sat down 
with the family at the table. During 
the repast a note was brought to Arnold, 
who opened it and read it ; the note was 
from Jameson, as before mentioned, and 





WEST POINT. 




announced the capture of Anderson, con- 
veying, of course, to Arnold, the failure 
of the whole conspiracy. Betraying but 
slight outward emotion, although his Hfe 
was in imminent peril, he merely remarked 
that his presence was required across the 
river at West Point, and with a slight 
apology, he left the room followed by his 
wife. In the privacy of their own chamber 
he told her they must part — ^possibly for- 
ever — and that his life depended on his 
reaching the British Hues ; then pressing a 
kiss upon his sleeping infant boy,"^ he 
passed down stairs, mounted a horse, and 
dashed down a narrow rocky path leading 
to the landing, where his barge was lying, 
just on the south side of the point through 
which the Hudson Biver Bailroad now cuts 
its way. Pretending that he was going 
with a flag of truce, he excited the boat- 
men to powerful efforts by promised re- 

* Edwabd Shippen AenoiiD was bom at Philadelpliia, 
March 19th, 1780 ; he entered the East India Com- 
pany's service, and became a Lieutenant of Cavalry 
and Paymaster of Mattra. He died in India in 1813. 





GUIDE TO 




wards, and the boat sped through the 
water, carrying the panting renegade to 
the "Vulture" below, passing Verplank's 
Point batteries under cover of a white 
handkerchief raised upon a stick. 

Meanwhile, Washington having com- 
pleted his inspection, arrived at the Kobin- 
son House, where he was informed that 
Arnold had been called across the river. 
After a hasty breakfast, he concluded not 
to await Arnold's return, but to follow him 
to West Point. As the barge swept over 
the water, amid the majestic scenery of the 
Hudson, Washington remarked, "Well, 
gentlemen, I am glad General Arnold has 
gone before us, for we shall now receive a 
salute, and the roaring of the guns will 
have a fine effect among these mountains." 
But no salute boomed upon their expectant 
ears, and no preparations were visible for 
tendering one. As the boat drew near the 
shore, an officer was seen coming down the 
hill, who proved to be Colonel Lamb, the 
temporary commander. Astounded at see- 
ing the Commander-in-Chief, he commenced 




WEST POINT. 




an apology, which was interrupted by 
Washington. " How is this, sir, is not 
General Arnold here ? " " No, sir," re- 
phed the Colonel, " he has not been here 
these two days, nor have I heard from him 
in that time." "This is extraordinary," 
replied Washington, " he left word that he 
had crossed over here ; however, the object 
of our visit must not be defeated, and since 
we are here we will look around and see in 
what state things are with you." He then 
ascended to Fort Putnam, examined it and 
the various redoubts, and returned to 
Arnold's house, where Hamilton gave him 
the dispatch, which had arrived during his 
absence from Jameson, containing the 
papers found on Andre, and the letter from 
the latter to himself. The treason of 
Arnold was now fully exposed, but as some 
hours had elapsed he was already beyond 
pursuit. CalHng in Generals Knox and 
Lafayette, Washington explained what had 
occuiTed, showing the proofs of the treach- 
ery, and, pathetically appealing to them, he 
exclaimed, " Whom can we trust now ? " 

3 





G UIDE TO 




Standing on a mine which might explode 
at any instant, he was outwardly as calm 
as ever ; he even sought Mrs. Arnold, and 
kindly attempted to soothe her frenzied 
excitement which found vent in alternate 
wailings and reproaches that would have 
pierced insensibihty itself. Although 
Washington seemed unchanged, he was 
fully ahve to his danger. He rapidly wrote 
his commands, and hastily dispatched 
couriers in every direction to arouse the 
camps, till at length, having done all in his 
power to avert the threatened evil, he re- 
tired to rest late at night, fully expecting 
to be aroused before daylight by the roar 
of British artillery. 

We now know the happy result, and that, 
under the providence of God, much of it 
was due to the promptitude and foresight 
of Washington. We now see the momen- 
tous consequences which would have fol- 
lowed the consummation of Arnold's base- 
ness ; how, and by what a singular change 
of events, Washington's visit was delayed, 
and Arnold's escape effected, while even 




WEST P OINT. 




now, we recoil as we learn how a single 
expression dropped by Andre, prevented 
tlie springing of a mine whicli would have 
inevitably insured a faikn^e to achieve our 
independence, and have left us colonial de- 
pendents upon the British Government. 
Andre was conveyed to the Eobinson 
House, and thence to West Point, from 
which place he was removed to the village 
of Tappan, opposite Irvington, on the 
Hudson Eiver E-ailroad, where a Board of 
General Officers, presided over by Major 
General Greene, was assembled to inquire 
into the facts of his case, and report their 
opinion. The Board found him acting in 
the character of a spy, and were of the 
opinion that, agreeably to the laws and 
usages of war, he ought to suffer death. 
In spite of every possible exertion of Sir 
Henry CHnton, the universal sympathy of 
the American officers, and the grief of 
Washington, whose heart was wrung with 
anguish when he gave the death-warrant, 
Andre was executed at Tappan, on the 2d 






GUIDE TO 




of October, 1780, and died, in truth, 
" lamented even by his foes." 

The miserable and unhappy career of 
Arnold need not be pm-sued. Rewarded 
by the British Government with a Briga- 
dier-General's commission and a grant of 
^10,000, he died in London in 1801* 

* Benedict Aknold was twice married, and had 
tliree sons by his first wife. Benedict, the eldest, 
was an Officer of Artillery in the British Array, and 
died young in the West Indies. Henet and Eichabd 
both entered the King's Service after their father's 
defection, as Lieutenants of a Cavalry Legion, com- 
manded by their father. 

By his second marriage (April 8th, 1779), General 
Aenold became the father of four sons and one 
daughter. 

Edwaed Shippen AENOLDjthe eldest already men- 
tioned; James Robeetson Aenold, the second son 
entered the Eoyal Engineers in 1798, and served at 
Bermuda, Nova Scotia, and in New Brunswick. Li 
1841 he was appointed a Major-General in the British 
Army, and rose to be a Lieutenant-General in 1851. 
He was a Knight of the Hanoverian Order of the 
Guelph, also a Knight of the Turkish Order of the 
Crescent, He died in service in 1854. 

Geoege Aenold, the third son, was a Lieutenant 
1% Colonel in the Bengal Cavalry, and died in India in 







WEST P OINT. 




To the visitor at West Point, tlie objec- 
tive spot of the stirring scenes described, 
each wooded height and rocky bluff recalls 
the times when our fathers, regardless of 
personal hardship, sufferuag and death, 
labored to secure the priceless boon of free- 
dom. 

"There's not a verdant blade, nor mountain hoary, 
But treasures up the memories of freedom's story." 

One hundred and fifty-seven feet above 
the river, on a plateau, embracing about 
fifty acres of level ground, stands the 
United States Militaky Academy, estab- 

1828. William Fitch Aknold, the fourth son, became 
a Captain of Lancers in the British Army. Sophia 
Matilda Arnold married a Colonel in the East India 
Company's Service. 

General Abnold died in London, June 14th, 1801. 
The following notice appeared in the Gentleman's 
Magazine. "At his house in Gloucester Place, Briga- 
dier-General Arnold. His remains were interred at 
Brompton on the 21st. Seven mourning coaches and 
ioux State coaches formed the cavalcade. — Loyalists 
of the American Bevolution — Sabine — British Army 
Begister. 

3* 





GUIDE TO 8 



lished by an Act of Congress in 1802. 
The approach to this plateau from the 
steam-ferry landing, is up a carriage road, 
excavated in the almost perpendicular rocky 
bank, conveying the visitor past the Eid- 
ing-hall, the Cavalry stables, and the Li- 
brary building, to the crest of the plain, 
where the natural beauty of the latter, and 
its wonderful adaptation for locating a great 
military educational institution, first excites 
admiration. The plateau, which affords 
ample space for all miUtary evolutions ap- 
pertaining to artillery, infantry, and cav- 
alry, is bounded on the west by lofty and 
rugged hills, at the base of which are situ- 
ated the various Academic buildings, the 
Cadet Barracks, and the residences of the 
officers and professors. 

Proceeding on to the West Point Hotel, 
an old fort is seen on the north-east angle 
of the plain, known as Fort Arnold, until 
the treason of the apostate became ex- 
posed, when the name, thenceforth unknown 
in American history, was changed to Fort 
Clinton. From the Hotel, situated on the 




WEST POINT. 




north side of the plain, the lake-like river 
view is unobstructed for nearly ten miles, 
and presents in its constantly varying as- 
pect of sunlight and shadow on the rug- 
ged mountain sides, in its periods of storm 
and repose on the water, and in its ever 
changing variety of steamers and river 
craft, a scene which for boldness and beauty 
stands unrivalled even in America, and is 
elsewhere unknown throughout the world. 
The pencil of the artist, the skill of the 
photographer, and the depths of language, 
have striven to portray the exceeding love- 
liness of the vista presented from this spot, 
while tourists fresh from the Alpine beau- 
ties of Switzerland and the Rhine, from 
Italy, Scotland and Wales, and from the 
overland Avilds of the Rocky Mountains and 
the Sierra Nevada, ahke render homage to 
the glorious landscape here spread before 
them. 

Immediately to the north, and almost at 
the feet of the spectator, lies Constitution 
Island, with the exposed ruins of old Fort 
Constitution near the water's edge, and a 




^^ 



1^ 



^ 



32 GUIDE TO 




little below which the end of the great chain 
was attached; while beyond may be seen 
the forge and furnace stacks of the Foundry, 
and the spires and dwellings in the village 
of Cold Spring. To the right, and farther 
up, Bull HiU and Breakneck Mountains, 
rise respectively 1,580 and 1,187 feet, the 
latter bearing Pollopel's Island, nearly op- 
posite, while the city of Newburg, with the 
Shawangunk Mountain range for a back- 
ground, fades away almost imperceptibly in 
the distance. On the left, the Crow Nest 
towers 1,428 feet above the water, with 
Washington's Valley nestling between it 
and the Cemetery. " Moore's House," 
from which the orders of Washington ema- 
nated in 1779, was situated in the valley 
bearing his name. 

Leaving the Hotel by a pathway to the 
west, the visitor is conducted to the siege 
battery of rifled guns, exhibiting the form 
and structure of a field work, and from 
thence to a grove of elms, where a variety 
of trophy guns are to be seen, taken during 
the Eevolution, in the war of 1812, in Mexico, 



WEST POINT. 




and in the late rebellion. A portion of the 
great chain surrounds the beautiful gun 
" Le Monarque," presented by Congress to 
Lafayette, and one or two mortars captured 
by General Wayne at Stony Point. Be- 
side the antique mortars and guns from 
Mexico, inscribed with the names of the 
places from which they came, there are two 
Enghsh rifled Blakely guns, from Fort 
Pulaski, two carronades, or ship's pivot 
guns, from Hilton Head, one 8-inch rifled 
Blakely, from Fort Morgan, all captured 
from the rebels ; and the fragments of Gen. 
Gilmore's famous 30-pound Parrott gun, 
from Morris Island, which hurled 4,606 pro- 
jectiles at Charleston before it assumed its 
present condition. These trophies, scarred 
and bruised by shot, and many other large 
guns made for experimental pm^poses, can- 
not fail to afford an interesting subject for 
contemplation. The large granite ball was 
brought by Gen. Delafield from the Crimea, 
where it is said such projectiles were thrown 
from mortars by the Russians, to crush the 
j|; decks of the blockading fleet. The spot is « 





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further interesting from its having been de- 
dicated as the site of the proposed Battle 
Monument, designed to be erected by sub- 
scription among the surviving officers and 
soldiers, to the memory of the officers of 
the regular army who fell during the rebel- 
Hon. 

A httle to the westward, a walled enclo- 
sure, embracing the Ordnance Laboratory, 
is situated, and there may be seen a great 
variety of trophy guns from Cedar Creek 
and from Yicksburg, among which is the 
famous "Whistling Dick," an EngHsh 
rifled breech-loading Whitworth gun, cap- 
tm'ed on Morris Island, and the formidable 
Armstrong gun, captured at Fort Fisher, off 
Wilmington. Here, also, may be seen " the 
gun from Elder's Battery, which fired the 
last shot previous to the surrender of Lee's 
Army. These, and a great variety of tor- 
pedoes, shot, shells and other Eebel imple- 
ments of warfare, will well repay the visitor 
by the variety of design they exhibit. Pur- 
suing the road down the hill, to the North 
wharf, the Sea-coast battery, with its arma- 




WEST P OINT. 




ment of rifled monsters, consisting of 30- 
pound, 100, 200, and 300-pound Parrots, 
the 15-inch gun, and the 13-inch mortar, all 
capable of hurling projectiles as far as Pol- 
lopel's Island, or beyond, arrests the atten- 
tion of the observer, and furnishes tangible 
evidences of the triumphant progress of 
manufacturing skill in weapons of war. 

Eetuming by the road to the crest of the 
Plain, and proceeding west, a road to the 
left leads up the hill to Fort Putnam. The 
old fort, long neglected, and subject to the 
assaults of wintry blasts and beating storms, 
rises high above the Plain, and there, in 
grim majesty, it patiently awaits the silent 
march of disintegration and general decay. 
Approached in the mellow light of an even- 
ing sunset, when a single pencil of rays lin- 
gers and illuminates the crests of the moun- 
tains in the east, and a few scattered clouds, 
tinged with scarlet, gold and silver tints, 
fading and blending in perfect harmony 
with the deep blue of the firmament, indi- 
cate the close of the day; a single drum 
breaks upon the solemn stillness around. 





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and directly after, a full chorus of music 
from the Band on the Plain below, pro- 
claims the arrival of the hour for evening 
parade. Immediately echo takes up the 
strain, and repeats them in tones softer and 
sweeter, and fainter, until mountain, river 
and plain, all resound with notes of exquisite 
melody. Then the pulse quickens even in 
those habitually insensible to the beauti- 
ful spectacle here unfolded, and the visitor 
seems to breathe a new existence in an ideal 
world, until the reverberations of the even- 
ing gun announce the passage of another 
day, and the nearer approach of that period 
when the mighty Angel shall proclaim that 
" time was, but time shall be no more." 

Were the same scene to be presented 
daily from this spot for all time, it would 
never cease to be a dehght to make a pil- 
grimage to the glorious old Fort, while the 
vivid memories of its former patriot occu. 
pants, and their labors are treasured up 
and remembered. But a constant change 
is going on, and the same object presents 
itself to the eye in many different aspects. 




WEST POINT. 




The beautiful river, from small beginnings, 
flowing down shelving rocks and flowering 
banks, is swollen in mighty grandeur until 
it bursts asunder the mountain barriers, 
and sweeps along, bearing on its broad 
bosom the wealth of two hemispheres, to 
lose itself in the limitless ocean, and be- 
come a part of the eternity of waters. The 
never-ceasing progress of the seasons, be- 
ginning with the first born bud of Springy 
and so proceeding through each varying 
phase, to the period when the snow-capped 
mountains and the ice-bound river are 
ready to expose anew their surfaces to the 
reviving and gladdening warmth of showery 
April. The very rising and setting of the 
Sim; the clear, blue sky, speckled with 
snowy fleece; the hurry and rush of the 
mountain storm through the gorge, unite 
to keep up an ever-changing panorama of 
all that is lovely and grand in nature. 

Prominent among the many objects of in- 
terest which claim the attention of the ob- 
server from this point, may be seen Eedoubt 

^ No. 4, on Kocky Hill, immediately in rear 

ML.. 4 





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of the fort ; the ruined parapets of Forts 
Wyllis and Webb lying southward, each 
enveloped in a cluster of cedars ; and to the 
east, on the opposite side of the river, the 
North and South redoubts on the hill, in 
rear of Garrisons, environed by similar 
groups of the same beautiful vine-clad ever- 
green. The entire vicinity, rising as it does 
abruptly from the river to the terrace above, 
with wooded uplands, and bright green 
slopes beyond, is adorned with sumptuous 
country seats, gleaming through the tufts 
of foliage that surround them, and the 
lordly Hudson, with its furrowing keels and 
snowy sails, all unite to present a landscape, 
the beauty of which the pencil of the artist 
has vainly striven to portray. 

The buildings appropriated to the occu- 
pation and education of the Cadets, are 
not without attractive interest to the visitor. 
The Cadets' Baeeack, from its magnitude, 
symmetrical proportions, durability, and 
castellated structure, seldom fails to elicit 
commendation from all lovers of architecture 
who are drawn to its vicinity. The build- 




WEST POINT, 




ing contains eight divisions, of whicli two 
are assigned to each of the four companies 
of Cadets. Two occupants only are found 
in a room, each uniformly furnished with 
an iron bedstead, an iron table, chair, books, 
and wearing apparel ; all other furniture 
being carefully excluded as unnecessary or 
unworthy of the student soldier. Warmed 
by furnaces, lighted by gas, with daily ac- 
cess to bath-rooms, and invigorated by their 
military exercises, the Cadets present an 
appearance of health and contentment sel- 
dom seen in other collegiate institutions. 

The Academic Building contains, on the 
first floor, a gymnasium, with bowling- 
alleys, an apartment for fencing and sword 
exercise, and the Chemical laboratory. 
The second floor contains recitation rooms, 
and the models and collections pertaining 
to the departments of Engineering and 
Mineralogy and Geology. Besides the 
models of bridges buildings, engines, and 
arches, illustrative of the progress of civil 
engineering, others relating to field works, 
h fortifications, their system of attack and 
& ^ 





GUIDE TO 



defense, and the models of Fort Wagner, 
before Charleston, and San Juan d'Ulloa, 
off Vera Cruz, will claim attention. The 
third floor is occupied by recitation and 
lecture rooms, the Picture gallery, Drawing 
Academy, and the Museum of ordnance 
and troj)hies. The Picture gallery contains 
specimens selected from the productions of 
the most proficient Cadets in the classes 
which have gone forth since 1838, and among 
them the names of many prominent army 
officers will be recognized. Regarded as 
an evidence of skill and cultivated taste, 
on the part of those who were first made 
aware of their power to acquire the art of 
sketching and coloring after entering the 
Military Academy, and as the result of a 
few months' instruction, no one can view 
this collection without experiencing the 
liveliest feelings of satisfaction and pleasure. 
The Museum of obdnance and tkophies 
exhibits all the various progressive stages 
in the manufacture of swords, muskets, 
cartridges, powder, and shot; models of 
field and siege guns, and the anatomical 




1.%P 



WEST POINT. 




structure of horses for instruction in the 
department of cavalry. The collection of 
ancient and experimental weapons; of Rebel 
torpedoes, and Rebel shot from many bat- 
tle-fields ; of flag-staffs and flags from 
Mexico ; Indian trophies and curious pro- 
jectiles, and the numerous flags borne by 
the regular army in the last war with Eng- 
land, in the Florida war, in Mexico, and in 
the Rebellion, with their inscriptions, excites 
a degree of interest which cannot be over- 
come by a momentary glance. 

The colors of the Fourth Regiment of 
U. S. Infantry bear the following histori- 
cal inscriptions : 

The first Flag Carried 1794. 

Ketained at Eeorganization 1808. 

Tippecanoe 1811. 

IN THE FLOBIDA WAR. 

Gaines's Pen 1836. 

Thlonalosassa 1836. 

Okeechobee 1837. 

IN THE MEXICAN WAE. 

Palo Alto 1846. 

Kesaca de la Palma 1846 . ^ 

4* Vi 



n^s 





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Monterey 1846. 

Vera Cruz 1847. 

Churubusco 1847 . 

MoUno del Key 1847. 

Chapultepec , 1847. 

City of Mexico 1847. 

IN THE KEBELLION. 

Yorktown 1862. 

Gaines'sMiU 1862. 

Malvern Hill 1862. 

Bull Run No. 2 1862. 

Antietam 1862. 

Fredericksburg 1862. 

Chancellorsville .' 1863. 

Gettysburg 1863. 

Wapping Heights 1863. 

Wilderness 1864. 

Spottsylvania 1864. 

North Anna Eiver 1864. 

Po-Potmail Creek 1864. 

Coal Harbor 1864. 

Petersburg 1864. 

Lee's Surrender 1865. 

The colors of some other regiments and 
batteries bear even a greater number of in- 
scriptions, but none date as far back in the 
past. 

A pedestal and shell, brought from South 





WEST P OINT. 




Carolina, is inscribed on its four sides by 
Eebel and Union hands, as follows : 

ITEST FACE. 

Fifteen Inch Hollow Shot, fired by the 

Abolition Fleet of Iron Glads, at Fort Sumter, 

April 7, 1863. 

SECOND FACE. 

Presented to the Citadel Academy, 

By General G. T. Beauregard, 
Charleston, S. C, April 27, 1863. 

THIRD FACE. 

Taken at Columbia, S. C, Feb. 17, 1865, 

By the troops of the United States, under 

Major-General W. T. Sherman. 

FOUETH FACE. 

Presented to the U. S. Military Academy, 

By Major-General Wm. B. Hazen, 

April 1, 1865. 

The centre of the room is occupied by a 
model of the Silver Mine of Valenciana, in 
Mexico, purchased in the City of Mexico in 
1847, by subscription among the officers of 
the army, whose names are affixed. The 
upper surface represents the operatives, 
made of silver amalgam, practising their 





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several divisions of labor, while the sides 
exhibit the galleries of the mine, with the 
miners at work. The case contains, be- 
sides, many mineral specimens, and models 
of Aztec idols. The whole is surmounted 
by an eagle and a portion of drapery taken 
from over the Yice-President's Chair in the 
Mexican Senate Chamber. 

In the Chapel, east of the Academic 
building, may be seen a fine picture over 
the chancel, by Professor Weir, typical of 
Mars and Minerva. On the west side, the 
walls present memorial tablets of the gen- 
eral officers of the Revolution, and the guns 
presented by Congress to Major-General 
Greene, implanted beside a niche of trophy 
colors taken from English and Hessian 
regiments. On the east side are memorial 
tablets of aU the officers of our army who 
fell in the Mexican War, and trophy guns 
and colors taken by Generals Scott and 
Taylor, during their campaigns in the same 
war. 

The LiBEARY Building contains tempo- 
rarily the offices of the Superintendent, Ad- 




WEST POINT. 




jutant, Quartermaster, and Treasurer. On 
the second floor, which is not usually open 
to visitors, is situated the Lecture-room 
and apparatus of the department of Philos- 
ophy and Astronomy. The dome contains 
an equatorial telescope, and the flank 
towers a transit instrument and mural 
circle. The Library occupies the east end 
of the building. It contains about 20,000 
volumes, chiefly on professional and scien- 
tific subjects, and several fine portraits of 
former Superintendents and Chiefs of the 
Engineer Department. 

The capacious Eiding Hall stands on 
the bank of the river, a httle below the 
Library ; and from the interesting exercises 
therein, it is deservedly regarded as one of 
the most attractive points at the Military 
Academy. The hours for riding are from 
11 A. M. to 1 P. M., except during the 
period of the Cadets' encampment, with 
occasional interruptions, when the evolu- 
tions of a squadron are practised on the 
Plain. The course of instruction embodies 
running at the heads, running at the ring 






GUIDE TO 



with poised sabre, exercises with pistols, 
leaping bars and hurdles, and many other 
feats which afford little room for monotony 
or wearisome interest, even among those 
accustomed to witnessing equestrian dis- 
plays. 

Northward from the Library a path 
leads down the bank to Kosciuszko's Gae- 
DEN — a shelving terrace overhung with 
shrubbery, and rendered inviting by a cool 
spring of water, and a tradition that the 
patriot Pole, whose name the spot bears, 
here sought retirement and seclusion. The 
Monument to "Dade and his Command" 
tells its own story, and American history 
has yet to furnish an example of devo- 
tion to duty similar to that exhibited by 
those whose names are here inscribed. A 
little beyond is seen Battery Knox, whose 
armament proclaims the tidings on all 
occasions of national joy or sadness. From 
this point, the lower pathway, called the 
" Chain Battery Walk," conducts the visitor 
through a dehghtful ramble to Gee's Point 
^ and the North Wharf, or by a branch, to the 




WEST P OINT. 




Hotel above. The upper path returns to 
the road along the crest of the bank, and a 
few steps brings the tourist to Fort Clinton. 
Within the latter, on the extreme angle 
nearest the river, stands a marble column, 
sacred to military virtue in the person of 
Kosciuszko, and forming in itseK by reason 
of the ideas it evokes, a striking contrast to 
the dark halo of despite and shame that 
hovers around the name of Arnold, whose 
apostasy is inseparably connected with the 
very name of West Point. Thaddeus Kos- 
ciuszko was a native of Poland, whose edu- 
cation began at Warsaw and was completed 
at Paris. Having determined to cast his 
lot with the Americans, then struggling for 
Kberty, he was furnished by Franklin with 
letters to Washington, and came to America. 
He was appointed Aide-de-Camp to Wash- 
ington, and subsequently commissioned as 
Colonel of Engineers. Highly distinguished 
for his courage and skill in the campaign 
against Burgoyne, and as the directing 
Engineer at West Point, he returned to 
Poland at the close of the Revolution, re- 





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warded by the thanks of Congress and the 
commission of Brevet Brigadier-General, to 
serve as a General of Division under Poni- 
atowski. In the PoHsh Insurrection of 
1793 he was chosen Generalissimo, with 
the powers of a Eoman Dictator. He im- 
mediately issued a decree, authorizing the 
insurrection, and at once proceeded to unite 
the Polish divisions, and in a few days the 
Russians were driven from the Palatinate. 
Meantime, the Prussians having joined 
Russia, the rest of the struggle was a con- 
tinuous resistance against superior forces, 
until at last, at Maciejowice, on the 10th of 
October, 1794, he was completely defeated 
and overwhelmed by the Russians. He 
fell wounded from his horse, with the bitter 
wail on his lips, "Finis Polonie." Taken 
prisoner, and conveyed to a fortress near 
St. Petersburg, he underwent a long con- 
finement until the accession of Paul I., who, 
feeling an admu-ation for his character, re- 
stored him to freedom, and presented him 
with his sword. 

" I have no longer occasion for a sword," 





WEST POINT. 




sadly replied Kosciuszko, " since I have no 
longer a country." He visited America in 
1797, and was triumphantly and warmly 
welcomed by the grateful people. He re- 
turned to Switzerland and resided at Solo- 
thum, where he died on October 15, 1817. 
His body was interred at Cracow with great 
pomp in the funeral vaults of the Kings of 
Poland, between the coffins of Poniatowski 
and Sobieski. The Senate decreed in 
his honor the erection of an enormous 
mound on the Heights of Bronislawad. 
The gratuitous labor of all classes suc- 
ceeded in raising this "Mound of Kos- 
ciuszko" to the height of 300 feet in three 
years, and it will remain for ages a noble 
monument of his country's gratitude. 
Kosciuszko was never married, and the 
simple column at West Point, in full view 
of thousands of travelers, will long serve 
as a memorial of gratitude from the Ameri- 
can nation, and an enduring protest against 
the destruction of Poland, and the ruin and 
death of many freedom lovers as noble and 
virtuous as Kosciuszko himself. 

5 



jW^m 





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The " Drives" at West Point and its 
vicinity, although limited in extent by the 
rugged character of the region, are possess- 
ed of infinite variety and beauty, from the 
constantly changing aspect of river, moun- 
tain, and valley. Besides the routes on the 
Post itself, the road South, along the river- 
bank to Fort Montgomery, about four miles 
distant, from its smoothness, easy grades, 
and the numerous attractive residences by 
the wayside, affords many present and 
pleasing after reminiscences of a sojourn at 
this delightful retreat. 

Prominent among these attractions, and 
scarcely a mile distant from West Point, 
on the very brink of a precipice towering 
over the Hudson, stands Cozzens' Hotel, 
the name of which is inseparably associ- 
ated with the name of its founder, whose 
benevolence, geniality, and hospitality is 
so intimately connected with West Point 
and the travehng public. 

Directly west of the Hotel stands the 
picturesque little church of the "Holy 
Innocents," erected by Professor Weir, to 4 




WEST POINT. 




commemorate tlie early decease of two of 
his cliildren. A little distance below, tlie 
village of Highland Falls is situated, on 
both sides of a mountain stream bearing 
the name of Buttermilk Falls, derived from 
the foaming passage of the water over 
steep rocks into the Hudson below. From 
this point onward to Fort Montgomery, 
the occasional expanse of the river, the 
charming country seats dotting the bank, 
and the magnificence of the mountains, 
continually inspires a feeling of happiness 
and contentment. 

FoET MoNTGOMnEEY is situated on the 
north bank of Pooplopen's Creek, at its 
junction with the Hudson. It is elevated 
about 130 feet above the water, and the 
view from its ruined parapet covers an ex- 
tent, and surpasses if possible in wildness, 
the landscape seen from the West Point 
Hotel. Fort Clinton, similarly elevated, I 
stood directly opposite on the south side \ 
of the creek, and both works possess more 
than ordinary interest from having been 
the scene of a bloody assault and capture ^ 





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by a British force, under the command of 
Sir Henry CHnton, in October 1777. The 
forts were simultaneously carried at the 
point of the bayonet by overwhelming 
numbers ; the last named, by a column 
moving up the bank of the river, and the 
former, by one moving down the valley, 
between the Dunderberg and Bear Moun- 
tain, through which the creek makes its 
way. 

From "West Point westward, the road 
diverges to the Cemeteey, overlooking 
Camptown, where the soldiers are quar- 
tered, Washington's Yalley, a little beyond, 
Constitution Island, the Foundry, and the 
village of Cold Spring. The tasteful monu- 
ments, with their military insignia and 
mournful inscriptions, unveil the attach- 
ment of many who fell in Florida, Mexico, 
Oregon, and in the Eebellion, for the spot 
protected and consecrated by their Alma 
Mater. The branch road south, immedi- 
ately without the first West gate, leads to 
Fort Putnam, and intersects the river route 
a httle above Cozzens' Hotel. The main 




WEST POINT. 




road west, known as the " Canterbury 
Eoad," leads to Turner's Station, on the 
Erie Eailroad, about fourteen miles distant, 
passing Long Pond, and the vicinity of 
many other ponds indicated on the map, 
most of which afford fine resorts for ang- 
ling and hunting in the appropriate season. 
Three miles from West Point a branch 
from this road leads across the mountain 
to Canterbury, Cornwall, and Newburg, but 
the route is so rough as to render it un- 
suitable for pleasure driving. Just before 
reaching this point a road extends south 
through Eagle Valley to Highland Falls, 
affording a circuit of about seven miles, 
through a region abounding with new 
beauties at every turn. The road is in 
good condition, and the proposed inten- 
tion of the Cozzens' Brothers to add to 
the attractions of their Hotel by erecting a 
mountain retreat at the Eound Pond, will 
doubtless lead to further improvements. 

The " Drives " on the east side of the 
Hudson are easy of access by the steam 
ferry, and are possessed of even stronger 





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attractions. From the landing the road 
rises to the '' Highland House," and from 
thence southward as far as Anthony's 
Nose, the route is one of exquisite beauty. 
Besides the numerous country seats, no- 
where surpassed in elegance, and the thriv- 
ing farms along the way, the Eobinson 
House, situated at the base of Sugar Loaf 
Mountain, about one mile below, presents 
an object of deep and attractive interest. 
Preserved with all its original features, and 
as far as possible in the same condition 
as when it was made the scene of Arnold's 
treachery — hallowed by the footsteps of 
Washington and almost every general 
officer of the Revolution, and rendered im- 
pressive from its antiquity and the absence 
of all evidences of the progress of modern 
architecture and comfort, the Eobinson 
House has survived, with its umbrageous 
fohage, for nearly a century, and remains 
at this day almost the only rehc of its 
former princely proprietor. 

From the Highland House northward 
the road, remarkable for its smoothness 




WEST POINT. 55 



and delightful sheltering trees, extends to 
Ikdian Falls, some three miles distant. 
Passing a deep ravine, through which a 
sequestered tributary of the Hudson flows 
deep in the forest glade — so deep that, 
scarce even the Summer's noon-tide sun 
can force a single ray through the dense 
shade — ^the mountain stream after mean- 
dering through miles of untrodden woods, 
and chafing over its rocky bed, suddenly 
leaps the rocks fifty feet in height into a 
deep and glassy pool, forming a scene of 
surpassing beauty. Beyond, the road con- 
tinues to Cold Spring, passing the Foundry 
and affording landscape views north and 
south, all capable of exciting the most 
pleasurable emotions. 

The MiLiTAEY Exercises, everywhere an 
attractive spectacle to the American public, 
are at West Point productive of the most 
lasting and gratifying impressions, from 
the unrivaled excellence of the Band, the 
uniform neatness of the Cadets, and the 
precision with which the most difficult 
maneuvers are executed by them. The 





GUIDE TO 




European traveler, accustomed to schools 
of instruction separate and apart for the 
education of Engineers, Artillery, Infantry, 
and Cavalry Officers, witnesses here with 
astonishment the perfection and familiarity 
which the Cadets exhibit in the perform- 
ance of all the duties pertaining to these 
four branches of military organization. 
Some of these exercises are daily and con- 
tinuous throughout the year, others, owing 
to the severity of the climate, are restricted 
to the period between the 15th of March 
and the 1st of November ; and during the 
Encampment, which includes a part of 
June and the months of July and August, 
all studies are suspended, while daily 
practical instruction prevails as in actual 
field service. 

Commencing on the 1st of September 
and extending over a term of nine months 
and a half, during which time the Cadets 
occupy the Barracks and pursue their 
Academic studies, their mihtary exercises 
are as follows : 






WEST P OINT. 




r April 1 to Sept. 30 5, A. M. 

T?^i if i March and Oct 5:30, " 

EoU-caU. ( -^^^ ^ j^g^ ^ j^^ and Feb 6, " 

Breakfast Koll-call 7, " 

Gnard-moTinting 7:30, " 

Eiding 11, A. M., to 1, P. M. 

Dinner Roll-call 1, " 

Company Diill March 15 to April 1, 4:10, " 

BattaUon DrHl May 16 to May 31, 4:10, " 

Skirmish DriU Oct. 15 to Oct. 31, 4:10, " 

Light Artillery Drill, J 

Heavy Artillery Drill, r April 1 to May 15, 4:10, " 

Mortar Practice, ' 

Evening Dress Parade Sunset. 

Tattoo 9:30, P. M. 

Taps 10, " 

During the Encampment the hours are 
changed, and are as follows : 

Reveille 5, A. M. 

Infantry DriU 5:30, " 

Infantry Drill Aug. 1 to Aug. 31, 5, P. M. 

Breakfast Roll-call 7, A. M. 

Morning Dress Parade 8, 

Guard-mounting 8 :30, 

Artillery Drill 9, 

Engineering Drill 10 :30, 

Band Practice 10, 

DriU of New Cadets 11, A. M., and 5, P. M, 

Evening Dress Parade Sunset. 





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Tattoo .9:30, P. M. 

Tattoo on Party Evenings 9:50, " 

Taps 10, " 

For the purpose of military instruction, 
the Cadets are organized into a battalion 
of four companies, called A, B, C, and D 
Companies. These are arranged with 
reference to stature, and they contain the 
four Academic or collegiate classes indis- 
criminately mingled. The companies are 
officered in the usual way, by selecting the 
Captains and Lieutenants from the class 
longest at the Academy ; the Sergeants 
from the next lowest class, and the Corpo- 
rals from the next in order. " Chevrons," 
or badges of gold lace, are worn on each 
arm by these officers to denote their rank, 
as follows : 






^"^^ 






Adjutant, 



Quartermaster. 





Color-bearer. 





Serg't-Major. Q'r-M'r-Serg't. 



Lieutenant, 1st Sergeant. 




Color Corporal. 
(Below the elbow.) 




Captain. 



^ A 



Sergeant. 




Corporal. 
(Below the elhow.) 





GUIDE TO 




These appointments are conferred by 
tlie Superintendent as honorary distinc- 
tions, and are continuous for one year unless 
forfeited by misconduct. The discipline 
and spirit of the Corps is in a great degree 
dependent upon the Cadet Officers, and 
while they promptly and cheerfully obey 
their commands, " off duty " they are 
equals. 

In the exercise of their appointments 
they are required to report to the author- 
ities infractions of the Eegulations on the 
part of their comrades, but all domineering 
and captious inclinations are restrained, 
by what may be termed a popular opinion 
among the Cadets. 

The Corps of Cadets usually numbers 
about 250, and they are organized as al- 
ready stated into four companies. Imme- 
diately intrusted with their supervision 
and military instruction is the Command- 
ant of Cadets, who is a Lieutenant-Colonel, 
and he is assisted by six officers, like him- 
self detailed from the army. This organi- 
zation prevails for aU infantry instruction, 




WEST POINT. 




and for the maintenance of discipline in 
camp and barracks. In other branches of 
military instruction, special arrangements 
are ordered on the basis of class standing 
in the several classes. 

The Encampment commences at the close 
of the Annual Examination, about the 20th 
of June, and the camp is located on the 
Northeast portion of the Plain. This 
period, affording as it does the only re- 
laxation from study during the year, and 
as the time for the realization of the long- 
cherished expectations of the graduating 
and furlough classes, to enjoy the pleasures 
of home and early friendships, is one of 
unusual interest and hilarity. With the 
disappearance of these two classes, orders 
are promulgated to pitch the tents, and 
march into camp at a stated hour. The 
latter is preceded by a general stampede- 
ing force of Cadets, conveying from the 
barracks to the now unoccupied recitation 
rooms all unnecessary articles of furniture. 
Gray forms are seen with heads crowned 
with washstands, chairs, mattresses, and 

6 





GUIDE TO 



other camp-proliibited articles, working 
with such vigor that, in two or three hours, 
the barracks are cleared of all Cadet prop- 
erty save their military accoutrements. 
Before breakfast the camp is laid out and 
the tents pitched, and at the appointed 
hour the battahon, with the Band and with 
colors unfurled, marches to its Summer 
home. 

The Encampment consists of eight rows 
of tents, two to each company, opening on 
four streets parallel to each other, and a 
broad avenue runs through the centre of 
the camp. The tents of the Company 
Officers and of the Army Instructors of 
Tactics, are situated opposite their respec- 
tive companies, while the tent of the Com- 
mandant of Cadets is placed centrally at 
the East end of the broad avenue. The 
Guard tents, ^nq or six in number, are 
situated in a hne a little distance in front 
of the whole camp. A chain of six or 
eight sentinels surrounds the camp day 
and night. The guard consists of three 
reliefs, which walk post in turn, during the 



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WEST POINT. 




twenty-four hours for which each guard is 
detailed. This detail is* drawn as equit- 
ably as possible from the four companies, 
and guard duty recurs once in from three 
to five days, making the duty a real hard- 
ship to those not inured to it. The sub- 
divisions of the guard require each rehef 
to walk two hours, and then wait four 
hours before it is again posted. The 
operation of changing is as follows : Wlien 
the relief is duly formed and inspected by 
the Officer of the Guard, it is marched by 
its Corporal around the line of posts, and 
after " Taps," each sentinel challenges the 
longed-for delegation with a fierce, " Who 
comes there ? " as though the enemy were 
upon him. The reply of the Corporal 
leads to a further demand for a cabalistic 
word which, when whispered, so elevates 
the party in the estimation of the sentinel, 
that he quickly abandons his vigilant, de- 
fiant manner, and quietly jdelds his post to 
his successor, whose place in the ranks of 
the relief is then most cheerfully accepted. 
The camp is governed by the same regu- 






GUIDE TO 



lations that accompany an army in the 
field, except in the preparation of meals, 
which are supphed at the Cadets' Mess 
throughout the year. 

The presence of visitors contributes much 
to enliven this period of hardship in Cadet 
life, and the tri-weekly dancing parties on 
Monday, Wednesday, and Friday evenings, 
notwithstanding their abrupt termination 
at 10 P. M., affords never to be forgotten 
reminiscences in after life, of social enjoy- 
ment and enlightened intercourse with the 
fair daughters of America, not a few of 
whom date back their after career to the 
bewitching influence which marks this sea- 
son. The Encampment usually terminates 
on the 29th of August, when the Cadets 
return to Barrack-life, and recommence 
their studies. An illumination of the camp 
usually takes place on the evening before 
it is broken up, and the convolutions of a 
"stag dance" are performed on the Pa- 
rade-ground, with a fervor and vivacity 
worthy of imitation in a Camanche war- 
dance. This curious cross in the terpsi- 




i WEST POINT. 




chorean art, between the pigeon wing, 
double shuffle, hoe-down, and the quad- 
rille, is a frequent diversion in the Cadet 
camp. It is performed by twenty or more 
Cadets, who gyrate between two rows of 
candles stuck in the ground, cadencing 
their movements by the very uncertain 
sounds of a plebeian fiddle and the low 
muffled rattle of a drum, accompanied by 
whimsicalities and contortions unknown 
save at West Point. 

The scene presented during the striking 
of the tents is quite Kvely and picturesque. 
In the early hours of the day all the prop- 
erty of the Cadets, such as blankets, 
clothing, etc., is carried by them to the 
rooms they are assigned to in the bar- 
racks, leaving in camp only their rifles and 
their accoutrements. At the appointed 
hour the " general " beats, 

" Don't you hear the General say, 
Strike your tents and march away ?" 

when all spring to their posts, awaiting 
three taps on the bass drum. At the first 
tap, all except the comer tent cords are 

6* 






GUIDE TO 



cast loose and the pins are withdrawn ; at 
the second, the corner cords and pins are 
cast loose, and the tent is gathered around 
the tent-poles and steadied in an upright 
position, so that at the third tap all the 
tents instantly go down in concert, and 
woe to the " gross " one who fails to com- 
plete the prostration at the moment. While 
the tents are folded and piled by one party, 
a group enliven the scene by songs de- 
scriptive of their eagerness 

" To join the army of the brave," etc. 

Then the companies are formed, and tak- 
ing their stacked arms march to the front 
on the Parade ; the Commandant then, 
with Band and colors unfurled, marches 
the battalion to the general Parade, in 
front of the Superintendent's quarters, and 
the Encampment is no more. 

The Academic Exeecises of the Cadets 
are not devoid of interest even to those 
who are attracted to the spot by the glit- 
tering displays of military Hfe ; while to 
those interested in the progress of educa- 




WEST POINT. 




tion, the peculiarities of the system pursued 
at West Point seldom fails to increase 
their belief, that the method here followed 
might be more generally introduced into 
the great American collegiate system. 

The Corps of Cadets, in accordance with 
the usual custom, is divided into four 
classes, and the course of study extends 
through four years in duration. The classes 
are numbered inversely according to their 
entrance into the Academy, as the First, 
Second, Third, and Fourth Classes, cor- 
responding to the Senior, Junior, Sopho- 
more, and Freshman Classes in other in- 
stitutions. Each class is divided into con- 
venient sections of from twelve to fifteen 
Cadets, for instruction in its special branches 
of study, the first Cadet on each section roll 
being its squad-marcher, and being respon- 
sible for its punctual attendance and de- 
portment. The recitation hours are sound- 
ed on a bugle, when the sections for the 
hour are formed at the Barracks, their rolls 
are called, and they are marched to the 
Kecitation-rooms by their several squad- 





GUIDE TO 



marcliers. The instructor is there waiting 
their attendance, and after receiving the 
squad-marcher's report of the absentees, 
he sends three or more Cadets to the 
black-board, to discuss the propositions he 
announces to each ; for which purpose they 
proceed to place their diagrams or analyses 
on the board. Another is called up on the 
floor and questioned on the lesson for the 
day, until one of those at the board is 
ready. The latter being called on, first 
enunciates the proposition to be discussed, 
then gives a condensed analysis of how it 
should be solved, and then gives the full 
discussion, delineation, or demonstration 
with reference to his diagram or analysis. 
Last of all, and reaching the termination of 
his subject, the instructor proceeds to 
question him on the parts slighted or 
omitted, and upon topics connected with 
the subject-matter under consideration. 
It will be seen that the recitation proceeds 
upon the supposition that the Cadet under- 
stands his lesson beforehand, and that the 
instructor's province is to make sure of the 




WEST POINT. 




Cadet's tliorough and accurate knowledge ; 
to amplify his conceptions, and supply his 
deficiencies, rather than teach him the 
subject of the lesson. He also enforces 
that orderly and lucid exposition and ar- 
rangement of the matter, which carries the 
conviction that the Cadet not only knows 
his topic, but is able to communicate it to 
others. He requires accuracy of language, 
the observance of certain recitation forms, 
and proprieties in decorum, to a degree far 
higher than is usually demanded in other 
institutions. Three sides of the section- 
room are provided with wall slates or 
black-boards, and a tray for chalk, wipers, 
and pointers, extends across the bottom 
of each. Every Cadet writes his name 
over his work, and when called upon to 
recite, assumes the "position of a soldier," 
until he wishes to refer to his work, when 
he does so with his pointer. It is a matter 
of no small magnitude to secure a becoming 
personal deportment and style in recitation, 
and to suppress the unmeaning, nervous 
turnings, rockings, and fumblings, which 




GUIDE TO 




too often deform the manners of undis- 
ciplined students. 

The instructor marks each recitation ac- 
cording to his estimate of its quality as 
referred to a scale of valuation ranging from 
zero to three, the maximum for a perfect 
and satisfactory exhibition of knowledge. 
A weekly report of these daily marks is 
made to the Superintendent, and exhibited 
to the Cadets who crowd the hall leading 
to the Adjutant's office every Monday, to 
see the official estimate of their perform- 
ances during the past week. The reci- 
tation marks are aggregated for the semi- 
annual examination in January, and for 
the annual examination in June, and are 
mainly decisive of the numerical standing 
of each Cadet in the different courses of 
study. Frequent and thorough reviews 
occur, in which each individual's success is 
critically observed and considered in making 
out the standing — a greater weight justly 
belonging to the final and permanent con- 
quest of a course, than to the earlier reci- 






WEST POINT. 




tations. The final examination on the 
subject also has a material weight. 

By combining all these elements, a 
definite order of arrangement of the mem- 
bers of each class, in each branch of study, 
is obtained, and fi'om these combined 
special standings, a general class rank, or 
order of arrangement acccording to each 
individual's merit, is deduced at the close 
of each annual examination. In deter- 
mining the standing of the gTaduating class 
the special standing of each Cadet in all 
the branches of study for the four years, 
including proficiency in discipline, is con- 
sidered, and possesses a relative weight in 
deciding the position of each member. 

The Annual Examination in June is 
conducted in the presence of a " Board of 
Visitors," selected for the purpose by the 
Secretary of War, and the reports of these 
Boards, composed of intelligent men of all 
professions and all pohtical parties, have, 
for more than forty years, borne favorable 
testimony to the thoroughness and efficiency 
of the system of instruction pursued at West 






GUIDE TO 



Point. The assignment and promotion of tlie 
graduating class to corps and regiments in 
the army, is regulated by the recommenda- 
tion of the Academic Board, based upon 
class standing. The highest members only 
are recommended for the Corps of Engi- 
neers, and as the recommendations are 
almost uniformly adhered to, each Cadet 
becomes the arbiter of his own destiny, so 
far as his capacity makes success practica- 
ble. He is thus stimulated to good con- 
duct, and the diligent employment of all 
his mental faculties, by the hope of a choice 
in the assignments, and of securing after 
rank, by commission, over his comrades. 

How to become a Cadet, is a question 
not unlikely to arise in the minds of some 
of the young readers of this volume. The 
martial aspirant should consider well, be- 
fore taking any steps toward securing a 
Cadet appointment, that Cadet life is no 
mere hohday training — no refined dandy- 
ism, but a four years' devotion of mind, 
body, and heart to discipline and study ; 
more severe, by far, than is required at 




WEST POINT. 




any other educational institution in the 
land. But if possessed of an aptitude for 
mathematical study, of a vigorous reahza- 
tion of the attributes of manhood, and the 
courage to endure patiently present trials 
for future good, and finally, if possessed of 
an ardent desire for mtellectual culture, 
with a view to after usefulness, nowhere 
can a youth become so well qualified by 
an educational course to be a man, as by 
becoming a Cadet at the National Military 
Academy. The method of procedure to 
secure an appointment is briefly as follows : 
The District of Columbia, and each 
District of Country entitled to a Member 
of the House of Representatives in Con- 
gress, may secure through him one Cadet 
appointment. The Cadet so selected 
should remain four years, but in case he 
fails to do so, a vacancy arises which the 
Representative is called upon to fill with a 
new appointee. Of course, the same thing 
occurs when the Cadet graduates, and thus 
the number of Cadets is made equal to the 
number of Representatives and Delegates 

7 





GUIDE TO 



in Congress. In addition, every year the 
President of tlie United States appoints 
TEN Cadets, selected at his pleasure from 
any portion of the country. The appoint- 
ments by Districts are really made by the -^ 
Secretary of War, but only on the recom- 
mendation of the Member of Congress. 
An application made to the latter will 
show whether a vacancy exists — if so, the 
apphcant must plead with him for it. The 
only other alternative is to secure the favor 
of being one of the ten appointed by the 
President. The official qualifications are 
herewith appended : 






WEST POINT. 




APPOINTMENT AND ADMISSION OF CADETS. 



I. — As frequent inquiries are made in 
regard to the mode of procuring admission 
into the MiHtarj Academy, persons in- 
terested in the subject are hereby in- 
formed that appHcation may be made at 
any time (by letter to the Secretary of 
War) by the applicant himself, his parent, 
guardian, or any of his friends, that his 
name may be placed on the register in the 
office of the Inspector at Washing-ton. 
The precise age and permanent abode of 
the applicant, as, also, the number of the 
Congressional District in which he resides, 
must be stated, and no appHcation will be 
considered wherein these instructions are 
not complied with. No preference is given 
to appHcations on account of priority, nor 
can any information be communicated as 




9 76 GUIDE TO 




to the probable success of an applicant 
before tlie appointments are made. 

By an act of Congress, tbe appointment 
of a person who bas served in any capacity 
in the military or naval service of the so- 
called Confederate States is prohibited, 
and, as a general rule, no person will be 
appointed who has had a brother educated 
at the Academy. 

By provision of law, each Congressional 
and Territorial District and the District of 
Columbia is entitled to have one Cadet 
at the Military Academy, and no more. 
In addition to these, the appointment 
annually of a number, not exceeding ten, 
" at large," not confined to a selection by 
Congressional Districts, is authorized. The 
District and Territorial appointments are 
made upon the nomination of the member 
of Congress or Delegate representing the 
District or Territory at the date of ap- 
pointment, and the law requires that the 
individual selected shall be an actual resi- 
dent of the District or Territory, or District 
of Columbia, from which the appointment 




^^ 



-j^\ 



§^A 




WEST POINT. 




purports to be made. The selections " at 
large" and from tlie District of Columbia 
are made bj the President. 

Appointments are required by law to be 
made one year in advance of the date of 
admission — that is to say, about the 1st of 
July in each year, except in instances 
where it may be impracticable, from any 
cause, so to make them. Persons, there- 
fore, receiving aj)pointments have ample 
time afforded them in which to prepare for 
a successful examination prior to their 
admission. 

II. — To prevent the disappointment, 
mortification, and useless expense that 
might attend the acceptance of a Cadet 
appointment by a person not possessing 
the necessary qualifications for admission, 
and for the instruction and aid of others, 
the following information is communicated : 

Candidates must be over seventeen and 
under twenty-two years of age at the 
time of entrance into the MiHtary Acad- 
emy ; no modification of the law in this 






78 GUIDE TO 




respect can be made ; but any person 
who has served honorably and faithfully 
not less than one year as an officer or 
enhsted man in the army of the United 
States, either as a Volunteer, or in the 
Kegular service, during the war for the 
suppression of the Rebellion, shall be 
ehgible for appointment up to the age of 
twenty-four years. They must be at least 
five feet in height, and free from any de- 
formity, disease, or infirmity, which would 
render them unfit for the miHtary service, 
and from any disorder of an infectious or 
immoral character. They must be able to 
read and write well, and perform with 
facility and accuracy the various operations 
of the four ground rules of Arithmetic, of 
reduction, of simple and compound pro- 
portion, and of vulgar and decimal frac- 
tions. The Arithmetic is to be studied 
understandingly, and not merely committed 
to memory. They will also be required to 
have a knowledge of the elements of Eng- 
lish Grammar, of Descriptive Geography, 



S^-' ^ 

^ 





WEST POINT. t9 



particularly of our own country, and of the 
history of the United States. 

III. — It must be understood that a full 
compHance with the above conditions will 
be insisted on ; that is to say, the candi- 
date must write a fair and legible hand, 
and without any material mistakes in spell- 
ing such sentences as shaU be dictated 
by the examiners ; and he must answer 
promptly and without errors all theu' 
questions in the above-mentioned rules of 
Arithmetic and in the other branches : 
faihng in any of these particulars, he will 
be rejected. 

lY. — Every candidate will, soon after his 
arrival at West Point, be subject to a rigid 
examination by an experienced Medical 
Board, and should there be found to exist 
in him any of the following causes of dis- 
qualification, to such a degree as will im- 
mediately, or in all probability may, at no 
very distant period, impair his efficiency, 
he will be rejected : c^ 




% 80 GUIDE TO 




1. Feeble constitution and muscular ten- 
uity ; unsound health from whatever cause ; 
indications of former disease ; glandular 
swellings, or other S3anptoms of scrofula. 

2. Chronic cutaneous affections, espe- 
cially of the scalp, or any disorder of an 
infectious character. 

3. Severe injuries of the bones of the 
head ; convulsions. 

4. Impaired vision from whatever cause ; 
inflammatory affections of the eyeKds ; 
immobiHty or irregularity of the iris ; fis- 
tula lachrymalis, etc., etc. 

5. Deafness ; copious discharge from the 
ears. 

6. Loss of many teeth, or the teeth gen- 
erally unsound. 

7. Impediment of speech. 

8. Want of due capacity of the chest, 
and any other indication of a liability to a 
pulmonic disease. 

9. Impaired or inadequate efficiency of 
one or both of the superior extremities 
on account of fractures, especially of the 



mm^^ 




WEST P OINT. 




clavicle, contraction of a joint, extenuation, 
deformity, etc., etc. 

10. An unusual excurvature or incurva- 
ture of the spine. 

11. Hernia. 

12. A varicose state of tlie veins of the 
scrotum or spermatic cord (when large), 
sarcocele, hydrocele, hemorrhoids, fistulas. 

13. Impaked or inadequate efficiency of 
one or of both of the inferior extremities 
on accoimt of varicose veins, fractures, 
malformation (flat feet, etc.), lameness, con- 
traction, unequal length, bunions, over- 
lying or supernumerary toes, etc.. etc. 

14. Ulcers, or unsound cicatrices of ul- 
cers likely to break out afresh. 

V. — During the months of July and 
August the Cadets are engaged in mihtary 
duties and exercises, living in camp. The 
academic exercises commence the begin- 
ning of September. The semi-annual ex- 
amination takes place in January. At this 
time the Cadets are rigidly examined in the 
subjects they have studied, and the new 




GUIDE TO 




Cadets, if found proficient therein (their 
conduct haying been correct in all re- 
spects), will receive the warrant of Cadet, 
and take such a station in their class as 
their respective merits, as determined at 
the examination, may entitle them to. If 
any have been unable to master the course, 
they wiU be pronounced deficient by the 
Academic Board, and their connection 
with the Academy will cease. 

VI. — ^It is important that it be clearly 
understood that this examination, like aU 
subsequent ones, is very thorough — does 
not permit any evasion or slighting of the 
course, and exacts a very close and per- 
severing attention to study. The examin- 
ing ofiicers have no option; they must 
reject the deficient. The nation sends 
these young men to the Military Academy, 
supports and pays them adequately, and 
opens to them an honorable profession, in 
the expectation that their best efforts will 
be given to quahfy themselves for the 
higher duties of the military service. Those 




WEST POINT. 




wlio will not, or can not, profit by these 
generous provisions, should not occupy the 
places of those who will and can. 

YII. — In June there is held the " Annual 
Examination," which, in its character of 
searching scrutiny, is hke the semi-annual 
examination in January. Cadets who have 
failed to make the requisite proficiency, 
and are not Ukely to succeed in future, are 
discharged. 

VIII. — It wiU thus be seen that a per- 
son must carry to the Academy a certain 
degree of preparation ; good natural parts ; 
an aptitude for study ; industrious habits ; 
perseverance ; a disposition to conform to 
discipline, and correct moral deportment. 
If deficient in any of these respects, it will 
be best for young men not to enter the 
Military Academy, as they will thus avoid 
the probabilities of disappointment and 
mortification. Many of those who receive 
appointments fail, through deficiency in 
the above particulars, to graduate. But 4 




GUIDE TO 



it must not be understood that those who 
fail to master the scientific course taught 
at the Mihtary Academy, necessarily incur 
thereby discredit as regards mental ability, 
since it is by no means rare for intellects 
otherwise strong to be averse to mathe- 
matical investigation, or study of language. 

IX. — The pay of a Cadet is $41 . Q^ per 
month, with one ration per day, and is 
considered sufficient, with proper economy, 
for his support. 



MEMORANDUM 

INDICATING THE METHOD OF EXAMINING CAN- 
DIDATES FOR ADMISSION INTO THE MILI- 
TARY ACADEMY. 

Candidates must be able to read with 
facility from any book, giving the proper 
intonation and pauses, and to write por- 
tions that are read aloud for that purpose, 
spelling the words, and punctuating the 
sentences properly. 





WEST POINT. 




In Aeithmetic they must be able to per- 
form with facility examples under the four 
ground rules, and hence must be familiar 
with the tables of addition, subtraction, 
multiplication, and division ; and must be 
able to perform examples in reduction and 
vulgar fractions, such as : — 

Add |- to f ; subtract f from f . 
Multiply f by |- ; divide f by |. 

Add together two hundred and thirty- 
four thousandths (.234), twenty-six thou- 
sandths (.026), and three thousandths 
(.003j. 

Subtract one hundred and sixty-one ten 
thousandths (.0161) from twenty-five hun- 
dredths (.25). 

Multiply or divide twenty-six hundredths 
(.26) by sixteen thousandths (.016). 

They must also be able to change vulgar 
fractions into decimal fractions, and vice 
versa, with examples Hke the following : — 

Change |f into a decimal fraction of the 
same value. 

Change one hundred and two thou- 




m 





O UIDE TO 



sandths (.102) into a vulgar fraction of the 
same value. 

In Simple and Compound Proportion, 
examples of various kinds will be given, 
and candidates will be expected to under- 
stand the principles of the rules which the j 
follow. 

In English Grammak candidates will be 
required to exhibit a famiharity with the 
nine parts of speech and the rules in rela- 
tion thereto, and must be able to parse any 
ordinary sentence which may be given 
them, and generally they must understand 
those portions of the subject usually taught 
in the higher academies and schools 
throughout the country, comprehended 
under the heads of Orthography, Etymo- 
logy, Syntax, and Prosody. 

In Desceiptive Geography they are to 
name, locate, and describe the natural grand 
and poHtical divisions of the earth, and be 
able to delineate any one of the States or 
Territories of the American Union, with its 
principal cities, rivers, lakes, seaports, and 
mountains. 




WEST POINT. 




In History they must be able to name 
tlie periods of the discovery and settlement 
of the North American continent, of the 
rise and progress of the United States, and 
of the successive wars and political admin- 
istrations through which the country has 
passed. 




^-M 




GUIDE TO 




COURSE OF STUDY 



BOOKS USED AT THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 



[Books marked thus * are for Reference.] 



FIRST YEAR— FOURTH CLASS. 



DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OP REFERENCE. 

fDavies' Bourdon's Algebra. 

J Davies' Legendre's Geometry and Trigonom- 

I etry. 

(_ Church's Descriptive Geometry. 

fBolmar's Levizac's Grammar, and Verb Book. 
Agnel's Tabular System. 
Berard's Legons Frangaises. 
* Spier's and Surenne's Dictionary. 

Tactics of Artil- f Practical Instruction in the Schools of the 
lery and Infan- i. Soldier, Company, and Battalion, 
try. [Practical Instruction in Artillery. 

Use of Small Arms ■{ Instruction in Fencing and Bayonet Exercise. 



Mathematics. 



French 
Language. 



SECOND YEAR— THIRD CLASS. 



DEPARTMENT. 



Mathematics. 




TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OP REFERENCE. 

Church's Descriptive Geometry, with its appli- 
cation to Spherical Projections. 
Church's Shades, Shadows, and Perspective. 
Davies' Surveying. 
Church's Analytical Geometry. 
Church's Calculus. 




m^^^~ 



WEST POINT. 




Frencli 
Language. 



Spanish. 



Bolmar's Levizac's Grammar and Verb Book. 
Berard.'s Lemons FranQaises. Chapsal's Le- 
gons et Modeles de Literature Frangaise. 
Agnel's Tabular System. Rowan's Morceaux 
Choises des Auteurs Modernes. 

* Spier's and Siu-enue's Dictionary. 

fJosse's Grammar. Morale's Progressive Reader. 
OUendorf s Oral Method applied to the Spanish 
by Velasquez and Simonne. 
* Seoane's Neuman and Barretti's Dictionary. 

Drawing. -{ Topography, &c. 

Tactics of Infan- f Practical Instruction in the Schools of the 
try, Artillery, i. Soldier, Company, and Battalion, 
and Cavalry. [Practical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry. 



THIRD YEAR — SECOND CLASS, 



DKPARTSIENT. 



TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 



Natural and Ex- ("Bartlett's Mechanics, 
perimental Phi- 4 Bartlett's Acoustics and Optics, 
losophy. [Bartlett's Astronomy. 



Chemistry. 



fFowne's Chemistry. 
I Miller. 



Chemical Physics from 



Drawing. ■{ Landscape. Pencil and Colors. 



Tactics — Artil- 
lery, Cavalry, 
and Infantry. 



United States Tactics for Gai-rison, Siege, and 
Field Artillery. United States Tactics for 
Infantry. Practical Instruction in the Schools 
of the Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Prac- 
tical Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry. 




FOURTH YEAR— FIRST CLASS. 

DEPARTMENT. TEXT BOOKS, AND BOOKS OF REFERENCE. 

'Mahan's Field Fortifications. 
Mahan's Outlines of Permanent Fortification 
Mahan's Civil Engineering. 
Mahan's Fortification and Stereotomy. 
Mahan's Advanced Guard and Out Post, etc. 
*Moseley's Mechanics of Engineering. 



Military and 
Civil Engineer- 
ing, and Science 
of War. 





GUIDE TO 




Mineralogy 
Geology. 



and (■ Dana's Mineralogy. 
I Hitchcock's Geology. 



'French's Practical Ethics. 
Hallecli's International Law. Law and Military 

Law, by Prof. French. 
Benet's Military Law and the Practice of Courts- 
Martial. 

'Practical Instruction in fabricating Fascines, 
Sap Faggots, Gabions, Hurdles, Sap Rollers, 
etc. ; manner of laying out and constructing 
Gun and Mortar Batteries, Field Fortifications, 
and Works of Siege ; formation of Stockades, 
Abatis, and other military obstacles ; and 
throwing and dismantling Ponton Bridges. 

ij.j^g^jgg Artil- f United States Tactics for Cavalry. 

lerv Cavalry" J Pi'^^^ical Instruction in the Schools of the 
and Infantry I Soldier, Company, and Battalion. Practical 
''' y Instruction in Artillery and Cavalry. 

Ordnance and ( Benton's Ordnance and Gunnery. 
Gunnery. \ Practical Pyrotechny. 



Law and Litera- 
ture. 



Practical Military 
Engineering. 



For the information of visitors, the 
" Police Regulations" of the Post of West 
Point, and the " Regulations of the En- 
campment," are appended ; 




WEST POINT. 91 1 



POLICE REGULATIONS 

FOK THE 

MILITARY POST OF WEST POINT, N. Y. 

18 6 7. 



1. "Police Limits" include all territory 
lying north and east of a Hne running west 
from the South Gate to its intersection 
with the Fort Putnam road, and thence by 
the road to the cemetery. 

2. To prevent interruption to the duties 
of the Academy, carriages will not be 
allowed to pass on the road leading by the 
Academic Hall and Cadets' Barrack, dur- 
ing the houi's devoted to study ; and at no 
time by the Hospital, except when required 
for the accommodation of residents or their 
visitors, and then at a slow pace. 

3. Carriages wiU be allowed to pass 



m\.- 





8 92 G UIDE TO 



to the West Point Hotel, througii the 
South Gate, by the road below the Hos- 
pital, or through the West Gate. 

4. On Sundays the gates will be closed, 
and no vehicle allowed to drive on the 
Plain without the permission of the Super- 
intendent, except for the purpose of con- 
veying persons to and from Divine Service? 
to the ferry landings, to obtain medical 
assistance, or for the private benefit of 
Officers residing on the Post. Officers 
will not pass public conveyances through 
the gates on Sunday. 

5. Carts and wagons will use the main 
road, across the Plain, except when neces- 
sity requires them to go upon the private 
road passing in front of the Quarters, Bar- 
rack, and Hospital. 

6. Carriages and horses are not permitted 
to pass, or remain on the road in front of 
the parade-ground, nor to move about in 
its vicinity during parade and reviews. 

7. Eacing, fast driving, and unnecessary 
noise at all times is prohibited. 

8. It is strictly forbidden to drive or ride 





WEST POINT. 




over any of the sidewalks or paths at 
West Point, or any part of tlie Plain or 
grounds except the carriage roads. 

9. All persons are directed to close the 
gates after them on entering or leaving the 
public grounds. 

10. Officers and citizens may smoke on 
the Plain ; but during the performance of 
any military duty thereon, no smoking will 
be allowed on, or in the vicinity of, that 
part of the Plain which may be occupied 
for such duty. 

11. All persons are prohibited from 
bathing in the river, during the day, any- 
where witliin poHce limits. 

12. All persons whatever, residing or 
serving at West Point, are prohibited from 
hunting or shooting, or using fire-arms for 
any purpose, within pohce limits, during 
week days, and within the limits of the 
pubhc lands on Sundays. 

^ 4f W "9P 

15. Boats are not permitted to land, 
except at the pubUc wharves. 

16. Every boat, cart, wagon, or vehicle 





94 GUIDE TO 




laden with articles, except for officers, may 
be searched by tlie officers and non-com- 
missioned officers of the Guard, or members 
of the Police. 

17. All persons are forbidden to receive 
or transport across the Post any article 
for excluded individuals. 

18. All persons are prohibited from sell- 
ing any kind of intoxicating liquors, beer, 
cakes, etc., on the Post, without the per- 
mission of the Superintendent. 

19. All enlisted men are prohibited from 
bringing on the Post, or having in their 
possession, any intoxicating liquor, beer, 
etc., without the permission of the Super- 
intendent. 

20. Persons not connected with the Post, 
bringing prohibited articles thereon, will 
be promptly removed by the guard or 
police, and reported to the Superintendent, 
to the end that they may be prosecuted 
for trespass. 

21. Pedlers and all improper persons 
are prohibited from commg on the Post. 

22. Excursion or Pleasure Parties, etc., 





WEST P OINT. 




are not allowed to land on tlie Post, unless 
specially authorized by the Superintendent. 

* - -x- * * 

26. Cadets will not be allowed to cross 
the ferries without the written permission 
of the Superintendent. All such permits 
will be returned as soon as practicable by 
the ferrymen to the Adjutant's office. 

* -St -H- * 

29. No person will be allowed to cut 
wood on the pubHc lands, break the 
branches of the trees on the Plain, at the 
Cemetery, or in the vicinity of Camptown, 
or to throw stones or sticks into them. 
Parents will be held responsible for the 
acts of their children violating this regula- 
tion. 

* * -Sf ^ 

34. No citizen will be allowed to wear 
the uniform, or parts thereof, of officers, 
cadets, or soldiers. 

■35- -X- -Jf -Sf 

36. The iron seats in front of the Super- 
intendent's quarters must not be occupied 
by servants and children when required 
for visitors. 






G UIDE TO 




REGULATIONS 

FOK THE 

ENCAMPMENT OF THE CADETS, 

WEST POINT, N. Y. 

18 6 7. 



1. All Cadets, with the exception here- 
inafter mentioned, will confine themselves 
to the Encampment. Cadets will always 
hold themselves in readiness for such extra 
roll calls as the Officer in Charge may be 
directed to have during his tours. On 
these occasions, the Assembly will be 
sounded on the drum, when each man for 
duty in each company will appear promptly 
on the company Parade Ground. The 
companies will be formed without further 
signal by command of the Sergeants, the 
rolls called, and the results immediately 




WEST POINT. 




reported through the proper channels to 
the Officer of the Day. 

2. Cadets wilJ be permitted to wear their 
fatigue jackets, and their coats unbuttoned, 
in the body of the Encampment. When 
the Guard are in fatigue jackets the Bat- 
tahon will wear the same to meals. 

3. There will be one corporal and four 
privates detailed daily from each company 
for company Police. A separate Roster for 
this purpose will be kept, and this detail 
made from the Third and Fourth Classes. 
The company Police party will be formed 
by the corporal on the company ground, 
at morning and evening Police roll calls, 
when the company ground, and the ground 
behind the tents, including the company 
Officer's Tents, will be thoroughly policed. 
The corporal of the company Police will 
be held responsible for the proper police 
of the company grounds at all Inspections, 
and also that the Tent Walls of the Tents, 
when all the occupants are necessarily 
absent, are raised and lowered at the 
proper times. He has authority to caU on 






G UIDE TO 



his party at any time, for purposes con- 
nected with the Police of his company. 

4. The Guard, on the day succeeding 
that on which it marched off, will consti- 
tute the General Police, and will be formed 
by the Junior Officer of the Guard, on the 
General Parade Ground, at morning and 
evening Police calls, and will police those 
parts of Camp not policed by the company 
Pohce party. 

5. The Senior Officer of the Guard, on 
the day succeeding that on which he 
marched off, will be Camp Officer of the 
Police for that day, and will report his 
presence to the Officer of the Day at all 
roll calls of companies. He will have 
general charge of the Police of Camp, will 
inspect the Police parties when at work, 
see that they are all present, and that they 
perform theii* duties properly. 

6. The Officers of the Police will not dis- 
miss their parties until after their work 
has been inspected by the Camp Officer of 
the Pohce, and not until he has expressed 
his satisfaction at the manner in which it 





WEST P OINT. 




has been done. Should he deem it neces- 
sary, at any time during his tour, to turn 
out the Police parties for duty, they will 
promptly obey his orders. 

7. All Details for Guard, company Police, 
etc., will be posted on a Bulletin Board, at 
the Tents of the 1st Sergeants of the com- 
panies. 

8. The Members of the First Class, be- 
tween Keveille and Eetreat, will be per- 
mitted to have the hmits of the Plain, in- 
cluded within the Main Eoad, passing in 
rear of Camp, in front of the Hotel Yard, 
the Quarters of the Superintendent, the 
Barracks, and the Library. Cadets can 
visit the Library during Library hours, but 
the Barracks and the confectioner's can be 
visited only by special permission. 

9. The permission to walk on Public 
Lands on Saturday afternoons, granted to 
Cadets in Barracks, is withdrawn. 

10. Cadets will be allowed to bathe at 
or near Gee's Point, between Beveille and 
Breakfast, and between Betreat and Tattoo. 
Cadets wishing to bathe, will be formed in 




GUIDE TO 



the company Parade Ground, and be 
marclied to and from tlie place of bathing, 
by the Senior Non-commissioned Officer 
present. The members of the Old Guard, 
during the morning after marching off, 
will be permitted to walk on Public Lands 
until 1 o'clock, and bathe at Washington's 
Valley during the same time, except on 
Sundays, when they will be excused from 
Divine Service. 

11. All Cadets, except Officers of the 
First Class, will pass in and out of Camp 
by crossing Post No. 1, reporting their 
departure and return to the Officer of the 
Guard, who wiU keep a correct list of the 
same, and note the time. Cadets will visit 
the Commissary's only between the hours 
of 8J and 9J a. m., and IJ and 3 p. m., and 
the Confectioner's between 1 and 4 p. m. 

12. Permission to walk on Public Lands, 
does not include the Commissary store out 
of hours, the Hotel, the Hospital, Wharfs, 
pubhc or private buildings, or any other 
place on the Point, forbidden by Eegula- 
tions. 







WEST POINT. 101 

13. At Taps, all lights will be extin- 
guished in Camp, except those in Tents of 
Officers of the First Class, of the 1st Ser- 
geants, and the Officers and Sergeant of 
the Guard. 

14. Immediately after Taps, the com- 
pany Officers will inspect their companies, 
and see that all Cadets are properly un- 
dressed and in bed ; they will remain in 
their company grounds long enough to 
insure quietness and order in their com- 
panies, and will report all Cadets who 
leaye their Tents for any purpose whatever. 

15. Visiting in Camp after Taps is pro- 
hibited, and the Officers in the perform- 
ance of their duty will confine themselves 
to the hmits of their company grounds. 

16. The " Officer of the Guard will allow 
no Cadet, except members of his guard, to 
pace the Posts of Nos. 2 and 6 after Taps, 
except by permission of the Commanding 
Officer, or the Officer in charge ; and he 
will, at all times, preserve proper order 
and quiet at the Guard Tents. 

17. Citizens will not be allowed in the 





102 GUIDE TO 




body of the Encampment except when 
accompanied by an Officer, or for the pur- 
pose of visiting an Officer. Eor the latter 
purposes, they will be permitted to cross 
all sentinels' posts except those of Nos. 3 
and 5. The Officer of the Day, and the 
Officer and Non-commissioned Officers of 
the Guard, together with the sentinels, 
will, when they observe citizens in camp 
for any other purpose, politely notify them 
of this order. 

18. The Color Guard will remain with 
the Guard until Betreat, when the mem- 
bers will be permitted to go to their own 
tents. At Reveille, they will again join 
the Guard. 

19. All Prisoners and Cadets in arrest, 
will march to and from meals with the 
Guard, which will be marched both to and 
from same by an officer of the Guard. 

20. All Cadets passing within fifteen 
paces of the Color Line, will salute the 
colors. 

21. On Saturday afternoons until Tattoo, 
the Officer of the Day will inspect and 



W^ST POINT. 103 




m 



verify the presence and behavior of all 
Cadets in confinement, making his rounds 
for that purpose every hour. 

22. Cadets receiving permits will present 
them to the Officer of the Guard, who will 
register them ; and the Cadet taking ad- 
vantage of it, is required to notify the 
Officer of the Guard of his departure and 
return. All the permits will then be left 
with the Officer of the Guard, who will 
transmit them, with his report, to the Offi- 
cer of the Day, who will in turn transmit 
them to the Commandant. Cadets visiting 
the Hotel, will register their permits imme- 
diately in the book kept at the office for 
that purpose. 

23. No Cadet will be permitted to visit 
the Hotel before Guard Mounting, nor 
between 1 and 3 P. M., and 7 and 8 p. m. 

24. Cadets who are excused from Divine 
Service, will remain in their quarters during 
the continuance of same. This appHes also 
to those who attend either the CathoHc or 
Methodist service. 

% 25. Members of the Guard will not leave 







GUIDE TO 



the Guard Tents without permission from 
the Officer of the Guard, who will see that 
their absence is not unnecessarily long. 

26. Cadets will not be permitted to 
smoke outside the body of the Encamp- 
ment. 

27. All official communications from Ca- 
dets will be made in proper forms, and 
must pass through the hands of their com- 
pany Commanders. 

28. It is requested of Officers and citizens 
that they will not smoke on the General 
Parade Ground, or when crossing a sen- 
tinel's post. 

29. The Guard will permit no person 
except Cadets, Officers, their servants, or 
Orderlies, to enter camp during the absence 
of the Battalion. 

30. The Guard will be formed and in- 
spected at Reveille, Retreat, and Tattoo, 
and during Parades will remain formed. 

31. Cadets in arrest or confinement, 
wishing to bathe, will apply to the Com- 
mandant for permission, and be marched 
from and back in charge of a guard. 





WES 7' POINT. 105 




32. Cadets performing extra tours of 
pmiishment, will not be put on the Color 
Line. 

33. No Cadet will employ another to do 
any duty for which he has been detailed, 
without permission. 

34. Cadets on sick report will not apply 
for permission to visit. 

35. The body of the Encampment is de- 
fined to be that portion of the Encampment 
included between the company Officers' 
Tents and the Front Line of company 
Tents. 






A Standard Work for every Public and Private library. 
HISTOEY 

OF 

"VSTEIST POIISTT, 

AND ITS 

Military Importance During tlie American Revolution, 

AND THE 

ORIGIN AND PROGRESS 

OP THE 

UNITED STATES MILITARY ACADEMY. 

By captain EDWARD C. BOYNTON, A.M., 

ADJUTANT OF THE MILITARY ACADEMY. 



ONE VOLUME OCTAVO, 408 PAGES. 

Printed on Tinted Paper, beautifully Illustrated with Maps and 

Fine Engravings, chiefly from Photographs taken on the 

spot by the Author ; bound in blue cloth, 

bevelled boards, $6.00. 



D. VAN NOSTRAND, PubUsher, 

192 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. 

* Copies sent free by mail on receipt of Price. 



]Mt Mlt^t 



Relates to the early acquisition of West Point by the United States, 
and the military importance of the Post during the period of the 
American Revolution ; embracing the rise and progress of the 
fortifications, and the purchase and arrangement of the Great Chain, 
designed to obstruct the navigation of the Hudson River, drawn 
from authentic documents, and illustrated by Maps and Engravings 
never before published. 

The perfidious designs of Benedict Arnold, and his connection 
with Major John Andre, Adjutant-General of the British Army m 
America, are succinctly described, together with the " Proceedings 
of the Board of General Ofllcers," in the case of Major Andre, in a 
facsimile form as published at the time by the authority of the 
Continental Congress, 

The grand feu de joie at West Point on the occasion of the birth 
of the Dauphin of France, in 1782, with all the changes in the 
Garrison prior to the beginning of the present century, and many 
of the Orders of Washington from this spot, are now for the first 
time given to the public. 



Describes the origin of the Military Academy, and its progress 
down to the present date ; the recognition of the necessity for 
such an institution at the very commencement of the Revolution, 
and the accumulated opinions in its favor upon the restoration of 
peace, as pronounced by the leading minds in the country, are 
given. 

The Constitutionality of the institution, its alleged aristocratic 
tendencies, and the services of its graduates in and without the 
military profession, are treated at length. 

The progress of the institution under each successive Superin- 
tendent, the erection and removal of the Early Public Buildings, 
illustrated by accurate Engravings and Descriptions, together with 



those of modern date, will be found to constitute an interesting 
feature in the work. 

To those who seek admission into the Military Academy, or who 
desire to know the manner of selecting Cadets and making appoint- 
ments, the course of life, the employment of time, and the duties 
of instruction afterward, full and complete information has been 
carefully prepared and imparted to the reader. 

To the visitor or tourist, the work points out and describes (with 
the aid of a Map) all the objects of interest connected with the old 
Forts, and the Public Buildings, as they exist, and the method of 
obtaining access to all such is given. 



Contains the roll of the Academic Staflf, from the commencement of 
the institution ; the five most distinguished Cadets in each class 
from 1817 to the present date, as published by the War Department; 
a numerical list of all the Cadets who have been admitted into the 
Military Academy, and the States and Territories whence appointed ; 
a similar list of all the graduates of the institution , together with 
a synopsis of all the laws of the United States relative to the Mili- 
tary Academy, and a sketch of military education and the military 
schools in Europe. 

These are a few only of the subjects of interest to be found in 
the work. No efforts has been spared to encompass and exhaust 
the whole subject, with the view to render the work an aiUhority. 



1. VIEW OF WEST POINT ON THE HUDSON RIVER. 1780. 

{Facsimile.) A perspective view, by Major L'Enfant, Engi- 
neer, of the west side of the Highlands, above and below the 
Point, twelve miles in extent, with the camps of the army 
and the fortifications plainly indicated. 

2. MAP OF WEST POINT AND ITS FORTIFICATIONS. 1780. 

{F(xc-simile.) This map of Maj. Villefranche , Engineer, is 
said to have been used at the interview between Arnold and 
Andre. 

3. MAP OF FORT CONSTITUTION, ON CONSTITUTION ISLAND. 

1776. 

4. MAP OF FORT ARNOLD. 1780. (Fac-wnile.) 

5. ARRANGEMENT OF THE GREAT BOOM AND CHAIN ACROSS 

THE HUDSON AT WEST POINT. 1780. 

6. MARTELAER'S ROCK (Constitution Island). 

7. MAP OF THE WEST SIDE OF THE HUDSON RIVER. 1780. 

(Facsimile.) From Haverstraw to West Point, illustrating 
the capture of Forts Montgomery and Clinton. 

8. RELIC OF THE GREAT CHAIN OF THE REVOLUTION. 

9. MAP OF THE SCENE OF ARNOLD'S TREASON. 

10. CHAPTER VIGNETTE. 

11. GRAND ARBOR AND COLONNADE AT WEST POINT IN 1782. 

(Facsimile.) Colored. 

12. ROBINSON'S HOUSE IN THE HIGHLANDS. 

13. RUINS OF FORT CONSTITUTION. From the West Paint Hotel. 

14. RUIISJS OF FORT PUTNAM (interior view). 

15. MAP OF THE COMMISSION IN 1812, RELATIVE TO^ THE 

UNITED STATES LANDS AT WEST POINT. 



16. SUR"\T:y OF THE UNITED STATES LANCS AT WEST POINT. 

1839. 

17. MAP OF WEST POINT IN 1863, wilh all the details. 

18. FORT PUTNAM, from the West Point Hotel. 1863. 

19. THE OLD ACADEMIC BUILDING, looking south-east. 

20. THE OLD MESS-HALL, looking south-west. 

21. THE OLD NORTH BARRACKS, looking noHh-east. 

22. THE OLD SOUTH BARRACKS, looking south-east. 

23. THE NEW MESS-HALL, looking south-west. 

24. THE NEW ACADEMC BUILDING, looking south-west. 

25. THE NEW CADET BARRACKS, looking south-east. 

26. THE LIBRARY AND OBSERVATORY, looking smth-east. 

27. THE WEST POINT HOTEL, looking north-west. 

28. THE CHAPEL, north front. 

29. THE THIRTEEN-INCH MORTAR AT THE SEACOAST BATTERY. 

30. THE TROPHY GUNS. 

31. KOSCIUSZKO'S MONUMENT. 

32. THE CADET'S MONUMENT. 

33. DADE'S MONUMENT. 

34. WOOD'S MONUMENT. 

35. MILITARY ACADEMY BAND. 

36. THE ENCAMPMENT. 



NOTICES OF THE PRESS. 



' ' The author has, with painstaking ihdustry , gathered into one 
view whatever could be gleaned from our annals, not only in regard 
to the origin and progress of the Military Academy, but in refer- 
ence to the previous history of West Point as an important Military 
Station during the American Revolution. 

" This work is a valuable addition to our historical literature, 
and will furnish to the thousands of graduates from the West Point 
Academy a most valuable souvenir of their alina mater. ^^ — Army 
and Naiy Journal. 



" The associations of '^^est Point, the seat of the United States 
Military Academy, are in this respect remarkable, that they derive 
their interest exd'osively from the circumstances incidental to the 
birth and progress of the nation. The history of the place is an 
important part of the nation's history. It was the objective point 
in that drama of Arnold's treason, which, by involving the fate of 
Andr6, is remembered as one of the most romantic incidents in the 
story of the war. The aspect of the place in connection with the 
events of that time is given by that method of description which 
always leaves the sense of historic verity. The author has pre- 
sented his subject not so much in his own narrative as by a judi- 
cious combination of extracts from documents and papers of origi- 
nal authority; although his own observations, by way of correction 
and explanatioD, arc given in good taste, and indicate a candid 



judgment. Capt. Bot>t:on's book should command the mtarest of 
those who know most of West Point, and of those who know noth- 
ing about it." — Atlantic Monthly. 



" It records the earliest attempt at instituting a Military School 
by the Contiuental Congress in 1776. It conducts us through the 
life of the institution, arguing with terseness its constitutionality , 
defending its educational principles , and explaining the necessity 
for its preservation. We commend this volume to our readers with 
perfect confidence, believing that they will be more than amply 
repaid by its careful perusal. We ourselves have lingered with 
pleasure over its pages, and predict for the work great success, as 
one of the most valuable and interesting additions that has of late 
years been made to our historical literature."— C/wiied Service Mag- 
azine. 



" Aside from its value as an historical record, the volume under 
notice is an entertaining guide-book to the Military Aeademy and its 
surromidings. We have full details of Cadet life from the day of 
entrance to that of graduation, together with descriptions of the 
buildings, grounds, and monuments. To the multitude of those 
who have .enjoyed at West Point the combined attractions, this 
book will give in its descriptive and illustrated portion especial 
pleasure ; while the critical reader will be quite ready to agree 
fully with the modest author, that a ' nucleus of truth' has been 
established as a basis for a more minute history^ if such should 
ever be needed." — New York Evening Post. 



" The second part of the book gives the history of the Military 
Academy from its foundation in 1802, a description of the Acade- 
lic buildings, and the appearance to-day of this always beautiful 

"Ot, with the manner of appointment of the Cadets, course of 
dy, pay, time of service, and much other information yearly be- 



coming of greater value, for West Point has not yet reached its 
palmiest days. 

'' The book is beautifully printed on thick tinted paper, with 
excellent illustrations and an abundance of those fine clear-cut 
maps in which your true "West Pointer so much delights." — Boston 
Daily Advertiser. 



"We cannot close without thanking Capt. Botnton for the vast 
amount of information so well collated in his book, and for his clear 
statement of the history and condition of the Academy from the 
beginning to the present time. " — North American Review. 



